Everything will be fine (unless it won’t)

We’re ending the 9^th Week of “Safe at Home.” My state, Alabama, has opened up pretty much all the way. I think the only remaining restrictions are nightclubs and sporting events. Restaurants can have 50% capacity or something like that. What’s interesting to me is that 48 states are slated to be open or semi-open by the weekend, yet nothing has changed. There’s no vaccine on the immediate horizon, no treatment to speak of. There are a few promising treatments but so far, they just reduce hospitalization time, they don’t knock it out. So basically, it got sunny and warm and the US said fuck it, we’re going out. I can’t imagine that it’s surprising to anyone that COVID cases are skyrocketing but as with gun violence deaths, we’ll just look the other way and hope it’s no one we know.

As I’m writing this the US has 85,000 deaths and a couple million cases. I’m not sure how many recoveries there are and testing still seems suspect, so any number given is dubious. Now there are cases of children getting sick and even dying of a mysterious illness after having COVID but by all means let’s go to Applebee’s.

As a person that’s relatively sensitive and prone to anxiety this whole thing has been challenging. I already keep a pretty small world due to the hate and ignorance that pervades my state and country but with this pandemic I’ve had to shrink it even further. I’m obviously concerned for the health of my loved ones and myself but if I’m being honest, I’m mainly worried about employment. I work for a university and while it’s generally a stable job the lack of students makes for a slim budget. There have been cutbacks and some furloughs but none that are working efficiently full time from home. I work in Cyber Security and can do my job from anywhere with a reliable internet connection so I’m clear on that part. My concern is if the Fall semester enrollment tanks. I have some savings and can cash out investments, the main thing I’m concerned with is losing the job forever. I’ve shaped my life and future around working here. Retirement, tuition assistance for my kids and just a good job that I don’t want to lose. A furlough? If there’s an end date, sure. I’ll take a pay cut if needed. I just hope the U can limp along until reliable testing -> treatment -> vaccine is available. I know it sounds selfish but hey, I’m being selfish at home saving money and not infecting anyone and ideally not being infected.

The US was never ready for something like this, the worship of the dollar at all costs is what is killing us and will continue to do so. Hospitals only keep the bare minimum of beds and PPE gear to trim costs. Corporations sling all profits into dividends or stock buy backs and don’t keep any in savings. But remember all citizens are expected to have 6 months income saved up. Bootstraps and such. I say let the corporations fold. Most won’t actually close, they’ll be turned over to their shareholders and go through a bankruptcy procedure. Fuck the airlines and their record profits the last decade. Fuck Disney for chasing growth instead of keeping a pile of cash. People are laid off and hurting because of greed.

I read something interesting, it said (paraphrasing) “what does it say about our economy that it gets destroyed by people staying home and only buying what they need?” Obviously, the service industry is what took the first hit, followed by manufacturing. I hope that the various state governments take care of their citizens, I know my state won’t. No one hates their citizens more than Alabama. Just look at any law we have. But hey, freedom, right?

Anyway, good luck out there.