The Covid portion of the evening news has become so common and rhetorical it reminds me of the weather segment. Nothing major usually happens day to day, so to maintain any level of interest until the big story happens, they throw in shocking stories hoping to wind everyone up and more importantly, keep revenue up. Of course when those big stories come, they repeat themes: Weather is torrential rain, record heat and drought and Covid is the Delta variant, vaccination % and the increasingly divisive mask debate. I mean when is the last time you remember seeing a sports segment on the local news? I think at some point every kid wanted to play sports or be a sportscaster—how cool would that be right? Nowadays our three sports guys do as follows: One of them promotes summer day trips including local landmarks on the AM news, the other shows up to promote channel charity drives and the other one—I honestly have no idea what happened to him. Why didn’t they give these guys the daily Covid report? Maybe they could have put an interesting spin on the stats or offered human interest stories for motivation. I digress. My point is, like a lot of people I have grown weary of the constant bickering and the increasing government involvement in all things Covid. Maybe, if I had seen leadership and a clear and unified message from the beginning, I would feel more compelled to listen and follow directions today.

My youngest and I have had an increasing number of conversations about vaccinations. This is because of the incessant pressure he has been receiving from certain family members. Some are innocent enough, simply passing along an opinion regarding international travel and whether vaccinations will be mandated. Another is more concern. Grandma worries about his welfare and doesn’t want him to die (a little dramatic but she wants to make a point), and finally, his aunt who yells and says he is selfish and careless. The final one caused him to stand up and walk out on the conversation. As I have stated in earlier posts, I too wish he would get vaccinated, but also listen to his reasoning and think he makes a compelling argument against increasing government over-reach. I think it will ultimately become an insurance issue which I support. Don’t get vaccinated? No problem, just understand you pay for Covid related medical issues should they arise. This brings me to masks.

The rise in Covid infections, specifically the Delta variant, has been reported to be filling ER’s around the country in numbers not seen since pre-vaccination days. Initially, the good news showed the stats seemed pretty much a no-brainer—if you received both shots, you were 95.5% assured to be safe, and if you did get it, you didn’t end up in the hospital. Then came the news that even though you are fully vaccinated, you could (or would) transmit the virus. So now, because of this latest epiphany the CDC says EVERYONE needs to wear a mask-again. Again, because of the unvaccinated and their choice not to be, or equally critical, to not wear a mask, I may be forced to. As I began composing this post, I received an email from the Board of my condo, regarding masks and the CDC. My wife Lisa is on the Board so I knew it was up for debate and wondered how it would be communicated. I had expressed my displeasure about being forced to wear a mask, but acknowledge we have a number of elderly and at-risk neighbors whom I didn’t want to jeopardize because of my new found militant attitude. The email came. It was clear and to the point and most importantly, encouraged residents to wear a mask but would not mandate such. I personally find it easier to comply when I’m asked and not told what to do. I appreciate it is naive to think, or even hope, that citizens would consider others when making a decision. To those who remain unvaccinated, I know you will not get vaccinated—maybe ever, or until the benefits out-way your negatives, but, please consider a mask at least. I shouldn’t have to but I am.