Family Fridays #9

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Family Fridays

Well, guys, another week has gone by. Here are the latest numbers from Alabama. There are now 13,414 people who have tested positive for Covid-19, and 529 who have sadly passed away. From last Thursday that’s an uptick of 2,313 positives and 56 deaths. In the last fourteen days there’s been a staggering new 4,336 cases. In the last 24 hours alone, there have been over 674 new cases. As you can see, cases are still steadily rising and the rest of the news is even more worrying. There’s been a huge uptick in numbers in our state capitol of Montgomery, and the mayor, Steven Reed, has warned that the city’s healthcare system is “maxed out.” While as of right now they’re not expected to run out of ventilators, last night they were down to one ICU bed and had started sending patients to Birmingham which is 90 miles away. If the numbers keep growing, he’s considering issuing a shelter-in-place order (I’m sure THAT will go over well). But you’d never know anything was wrong going by the governor’s office. As of today, arcades, movie theaters, bowling alleys, and daycares are open for business. Starting on June 1st educational institutions and summer camps will have the green light, and sporting events and competitions can begin on June 15th. My husband and I continue to self-isolate most of the time, but here’s what I’ve observed.

The majority of people are still NOT wearing masks or social distancing in stores, pharmacies, or even at mass gatherings like the in-person graduations that are taking place. Why in God’s name is this such an issue? Seriously! This is common sense. This shouldn’t be about politics. If I wear a mask and stay at least 6 feet away from you, I’m protecting you. If you reciprocate, you’re protecting me. IT’S. THAT. BLOODY. SIMPLE. Yet thanks in no small part to the petulant Toddler-in-Chief, this has become another insane hot button political argument. I have allergies plus asthma, and I live in the South where temps are already in the high 80s and 90s, so I realize that masks are uncomfortable. But you know what’s more uncomfortable? Being hooked up to a ventilator for days or weeks at a time. Alone except for the masked medical personnel taking care of you. In pain and terrified you’re not going to walk out of the hospital alive. Here’s what I say to those screaming about their freedoms being violated: “I don’t care about your personal ‘liberties’ right now. Wearing a mask and practicing social distancing is showing that you care about and respect others. Unless you have a health condition which makes wearing a mask an impossibility, you are a poor excuse for a human being if you refuse to wear one!”

Phew. Sorry about that. I know I’ve ranted about this before, but this petty partisan codswallop is ticking me off!

 

I hope all of you and your loved ones are safe and well. Feel free to chime in and give an update on how you’re doing in the comments. (Or if you want to tell me off for my rant, feel free to do that as well).

For this week’s positivity I’d like to share the new initiative known as #PasstheMic.

For the next three weeks, celebrities such as Julia Roberts, Hugh Jackman, David Oyelowo, Penelope Cruz, and many more, will be taking turns handing over their social media accounts to experts in regards to Covid-19.

Julia Roberts kicked things off yesterday with her interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci, so check it out.

Stay safe and stay well my friends!