War.
The word that can change any circumstance.
Turn neighbors to enemies, friends to foes and hope to fear.
The world is at war right now and make no mistake, we need to take this seriously and fight. Fight for our lives and the lives of our worldly neighbors.
But most people aren't taking this seriously...because they can't see the enemy. It's a virus, something they can't see and have no idea if they are coming into contact with it or not. So because they can't see it, they don't take it seriously, because "it doesn't really exist". Until it happens to their circle, until it directly impacts their life, they don't believe. And I think that has been the toughest part because at least with wars against people, you can see who your enemy is and know when to fight. When it comes to a biological war like we are in now, there is no telling where the enemy is hiding.
As the days tick by and the world stands still, country by country, the gravity of this pandemic grows heavier and heavier. The things we took for granted are being questioned, the joys we once reveled in are being taken away, and the sense of security we all felt in our blissful little bubbles is quickly dwindling.
How did we get here? How did we get so completely oblivious to the fragility of life that we just don't listen anymore? The signs have been there for months, the impending wave that has crested our shores is here, and we aren't ready for the inundation. As I watch the reports coming in and the numbers rising at rates that are unfathomable, how did we not take this seriously? How did we not start preparing weeks ago and been ready for this?
As states begin making aggressive strides to protect their citizens, there are states that just don't seem to be heeding the warning and following suit. While California and, as of a couple hours ago, New York begin lock downs of their state, places like Florida still refuse to close beaches and places where people are still congregating in large, packed groups. How irresponsible is that? The burdening of an already worn thin system will just add to the frustration of this whole situation...and cost lives.
And to that end, when will it be enough for the government to finally step in and enact war time measures? They have the ability to force materials and companies to make supplies that are needed in this dire time. We could be making the millions of PPE that is needed for hospitals to react to the spike that is coming, we could be making more ventilators that will be needed when the inundation starts, we could be making room in hospitals and training the staff that will be needed to receive the sick.
These are scary times and we need quick and decisive measures taken by the elected officials to keep us safe. The reports from Italy are damn frightening and it's not getting better.
We need to do more. We need to do better for each other.
We are at war...and the world is on fire.
