WHERE ARE THE TISSUES?

     I know that there have been shortages of items - toilet paper, paper towels, wipes, but I also know that most people have a hoard of these items in their homes even as they continue to buy more. All I wanted yesterday was not the proverbial two front teeth from Santa, but a box or two of tissues as allergy season ramps up. It seems I had not kept up with the growing illogical list of precious items and my search was for naught until 7 last nite when I heard from a friend that a shipment had come in.
     This is ridiculous. This is nonsense. Instead of companies ramping up for masks, for clothing, for health needs, they are spending time, resources and money on things that are really just fine. Instead of using those wartime powers he boasted of, using them to enforce production of these items and critically needed respirators, the idiot keeps fighting with those who insist thereis a BIG problem, particularly Cuomo, governor of NY State, an epicenter of the virus with NY City a particular mess.
     Now, it seems, according to Trump, that there is a person at fault here for the entire coronavirus attacking our country. Who? Why Cuomo of course, he who has met the 'enemy' and found he is Trump!! That man with the powers to act does not, other than to come on in a weak imitation of FDR and proceed to spew more lies and inanities every day, all which lead to nothing good. He even has doctors writing false prescriptions for the meds he deemed miraculous in curing this virus but actually do not - at least at this point. What will cure it is a sensible approach, an orderly approach, an understanding of the needs and necessities of this After period of time in the country and world. This man obviously is lacking all these oh so necessary qualities, capabilities and smarts!!
     So in this uncerain time what exactly are we sure of? Well, we are sure that NYC is bad, bad situation there. It shakes me to the core since New York is my hometown with my daughter and family there and many people I know, love and care about. They are now to be treated as pariahs in the country, having been told they must quarantine for two weeks if they travel outside the state. Not a good or happy situation.
     We are also sure that at some point in time, the way we are going, every person in this country given a test at some point will probably test positive. The virus will be endemic and hopefully it will be like a seasonal flu situation, deadly to some, but with a vaccine and proper behavior can be handled. But will it ever reach that point? Will we ever realize that the tests are not really so necessary, that we should concentrate on building up the supplies before we here in America are forced to set up formal or informal death panels, deciding in heartbreaking conditions who gets the respirator and who does not. We need to stop consigning all the elderly to death as we face these shortages. We need to remember that there is a huge store of knowledge contained within these elderly minds and in the scary situation that faces us, wisdom and knowledge, human lore is important.
      In 1939, C.S. Lewis spoke to incoming Oxford Scholars. He said that catastrophes such as war really serve as reminders, making the situation more obvious, that to live in the shadow of certain death is a permanent human condition. What makes us human and strong, though, is the continued attention to and pursuit of cultural needs. Life continues and we need to keep it so.
     We need to remember that and not become barbarians, savages, as we face this crisis together. The world has surmounted fiercer and more deadly crises, made it through with far fewer advancements to combat the problems. We can get through this too if we ramp up to produce what we need, if we concentrate on making a vaccine that works, as we develop natural antibodies as the population is totally exposed, as we insure a clear and smooth supply of food and critical items to where it needs to go. We need to recognize the courage and importance, the gratitude we owe towards those workers who staff the groceries, the pharmacies, all the places where we go, the truckers who get it there, as well as the medical personnel and first responders. Israel had a nationwide show of appreciation for responders. Why not here - certainly in proper behavior and no snarling in the stores. That much we can do.
     And certainly we can leave at least one box of tissues for me at the store!!! C'mon, people. This is a drastic and perhaps even deadly situation, and I already know of one who has died from this thing, but we can make it through. We can imagine a time when we can be together with our families. We can reimagine a time when life will be normal, perhaps a new normal, but still, better than this.
     In the meanwhile, get those games, get those books, talk with your kids more, love each other and remember we are all in this together. Just leave me my tissues, please.