BTRTN: Missing the Point... You Are Not Staying Home For Yourself, But For Everyone Else
Born To Run The Numbers follows up on their quantitative analysis on the spread of the coronavirus with some "anti-viral marketing," a qualitative piece about behaviors that are not changing fast enough and completely enough:
http://www.borntorunthenumbers.com/2020/03/btrtn-missing-point-you-are-not-staying.html
Excerpts: "...And then there is the less flagrant but equally dangerous South Beach right on your cul-de-sac. Theres that super-social couple who insisted on hosting a 'safe' dinner party, 'safe' because no one had any symptoms, 'safe' because it was out on the deck, and 'safe' because all of the couples would remain six feet apart...
"While many people have full religion on social distancing, there are too many people who are either not listening, or not getting the point. These are often people who fashion themselves as the rugged individualists who will face down the risk of exposure in order to maintain the semblance of a normal life. They are defiant in the face of a pandemic, and revel in the notion that they are gutsy enough to take the risk of being infected because it is so important to them to continue to live life fully. Some even strike a smug pose, implying that those who retreat to their homes are all too easily frightened...
"Yes, you are being reckless about your own exposure to this virus. But you are completely and totally missing the point of this lockdown.The purpose of staying home is not simply to help you avoid contracting the virus. It is to prevent people who are carrying the virus to move freely in society, spreading it unknowingly to the medical workers, Stop & Shop cashiers, and local government officials upon whom we so dearly depend.
"You know that old saying
'Lead, follow, or get out of the way?' This is the unusual instance when the right answer the brave answer -- is actually to get out of the way."
Harker
(14,019 posts)that if I'm to be infected at the pharmacy store where I'm a cashier, I'd rather it come from someone buying alcohol wipes than from someone buying Reese's Pieces.
rainin
(3,011 posts)in order to protect my mom, who is 85. She watches fox. Her friends are still out and about and they believe it's not that bad and we all know the pResident said we need to start going out again. Siblings think I'm being unfair or over reacting.
No one leaves our house until this is over. If she doesn't care about herself, I can't do anything about that. But, if (when) she gets infected, it's not her who will be forced into a care taking role. It's me. Plus, I care about my kids and would do anything to protect them. Her only son died at 55 because he couldn't go to the doctor to get care when he was sick (our state refused medicaid expansion). Her grief never led her to question the system that failed him.
Every meal I make for her and serve, is served with a touch of bitterness. I wish I had a mom who wasn't a republican through and through.
reggieandlee
(778 posts)replies like yours make it more real for everyone. thank you.