Thinking about COVID-19
It doesn't do to overreact.
It doesn't do to deny or minimize.
For myself, and my dear ones here with me, we balance being in the age-related higher risk group, and having various otherwise-not-very-life-threatening chronic illnesses, against being in a fairly small, well-run city in a state with a Democratic government, and not being required by the structure of our daily lives to spend much time in potentially risky situations.
It's natural to think that way first, I suppose-- "What about me and people who would rely on me if they were sick?"
But then comes the next circle of thinking.
My elderly mother who lives far away in a big city in a large assisted-living apartment community. Sure, she's pretty healthy, but she's also over 90. And in a quarantine situation, my sister who lives nearest to her and who is pushing 70 would be unable to provide much assistance.
And then there's my ex, who's on her second-to-the-last chemo treatment for a recurrence of cancer. Her immune system is gravely compromised, they warned her to self-isolate as much as possible. Yes, she lives with our daughter, daughter's sweet husband, and our grandson, so she's not without resources, but... damn' she's vulnerable.
And so is my grandson, one of the most premature babies ever to survive in that big-city NICU ward in first decade of this century. Sure, he's grown and thrived, but he'll always have pulmonary issues and yep, that's a vulnerability factor, too.
And then there's my best friend, in another city. She's recovering from the second of two knee replacements in two years, in a downtown apartment, and reliant on public transportation to get to work, to the grocery store, everywhere.
The list goes on and on.
So yes, I might feel fairly optimistic about my own chances of making it through a major pandemic.
But I am not optimistic that all those I love most dearly will have the same chances.
Most of the people I love are on a spectrum from "living within modest means but without much cushion" to "reasonably okay in retirement." But a few are definitely "paycheck to paycheck, hand to mouth" and as the economy tanks they WILL experience pain.
Most of the people I love have some access to at least emergency and preventive care in more-or-less "normal" times but as these times get less and less normal and the threadbare rags of "The Best Health Care System in the World" (tm) shred and fall apart, someone I love is likely to have a serious, should-have-been preventable outcome.
I share this thinking because I know I'm not the only one who's running scenarios in the night watches, and ruminating during the commute, and speculating while showering.
Right now, of course, it's mostly those of us who are willing to interact with reality and to acknowledge factual information and science-informed awareness.
The ones who attend Trumpenjugend rallies are probably not quite there yet.
But as people around them, maybe people they know, maybe people in the next town or the workplace their kid works at get sick... they will start thinking, too.
Enough of them, having it smacked upside their thick heads, do that kind of thinking, and eventually a critical mass will be reached.
I do not think it will be a good day for the oligarchic greedheads and the Russian meddlers when that happens.
Of course, by that time all too many of us will have paid a tragic price.
But that day will come. And change will be in its wake.
somberly,
Bright
= new reply since forum marked as read
For being so articulate....
I'm wishing you, and your family and friends the best of luck during the coming storm. Storms always end though, so hang in there.
As an aside, every time I read a post about COVID-19 lately I feel the need to wash my hands afterward. 
Pandemics will make us do strange things I guess.
Just do what you can... 
