As Our Parents Age So Do We

So here we are in the middle of December 2020, nine months into the pandemic, with the United States still awash in CoVid-19. Those who care for others continue to stay home, social distance when not at home, plan trips outside the home carefully, wear masks, and probably pine away for the “olden days” when we could touch, hug, and chat spontaneously.

But CoVd-19 is not going away for some time, because too many people confuse the concept of caring with the idea of personal freedom, believing they have to choose one or the other.

Now, in December 2020, more than 377,000 people are dead. We may reach the 400,000 figure by Christmas or a few days afterward. I recently heard someone wonder aloud if, by spring 2021, we will exceed the number of deaths that occurred in 1918-19 (625,000)?

According to a November 26th Washington Post article, 40 percent of the deaths, are fragile elders living in long term care living communities. One would think that those eldercare communities that experienced so many deaths in spring 2020 might have learned more about infection control in the interim months — but no, deaths are now going up again in many of these places and adult children are unable to protect their fragile parents. Didn’t these communities care enough to figure out a safety plan?

People are still fussing about masks, sometimes violently. Recently in Oregon anti-maskers in the state capital broke down doors to indicate their displeasure. How many deaths will it take for these people to understand that wearing a mask is not about personal freedom? It’s about protecting oneself and demonstrating care for others? More people will die because some individuals do not care.

And then there are schools. My little grandson is spending his kindergarten year on a digital device because there is too much chance of catching CoVid-19 by going to school. Many children are unhappy with or don’t have access to online instruction as are their parents. Why is it that people continue to get together for various events, travel, and have fun at bars, (thus ensuring that many more people get sick) while schools remain closed? They don’t seem to care.

Medical personnel — doctors, nurses, aides, therapists, and so many others at hospitals — are doing their best, but also getting sick with CoVid-19. They care. But as cases continue to multiply in their communities it’s apparent many other people do not care for the health care workers. If the cases continue going up, many of the doctors, nurses, and other dedicated people can’t do their job adequately.

The vaccines have arrived and, although the first doses are going to health care workers, we are told the rollout will be months longer than originally projected.

How many deaths will it take till people know that too many people have died of CoVid-19? How many will it take until more people begin to care?