You are the strangest stranger I've ever seen

[sovay]

And two years ago the WHO declared a pandemic and now we are supposed to behave as though it is over and COVID-19 as modestly endemic as the common cold. Who needs masks? Who needs social distancing? Who cares about vulnerable populations? I don't know if I could feel disillusioned by 2020, but it was impressive to realize how many people really just wanted me and just about everyone I cared for dead in the casual, impersonal sort of way where the likelihood of our deaths troubled them less than any alternative which might personally inconvenience them. And they still do, and the country has decided it is more important to placate them than protect anyone else, and I don't know when I will ever visit a museum again. After an optimistic start to the week, my physical health flattened me and I wouldn't be enjoying this concentration of pain no matter what, but the reminder of all the crowds unmasking like it's 2019 that I am seen as so very expendable certainly isn't improving the experience. I have not felt very much like placating people for a long time now.

Comments

[sovay]

It is pretty shocking, and it makes me wonder if the country has forgotten what happened every other time we've dropped masking.

Everyone's memories are short when they want something, but I thought that was what we had a CDC for.

I would love to believe it will be different this time, but wishful thinking and sound public policy are not the same thing.

I really was expecting better public policy from the current administration. I'm aware it's better than the public policy of the last administration, but that bar could be cleared just by sitting up.

I hope your pain level lessens soon.

Thank you.