Day 58

Today is Friday May 8th 2020. 100 million Americans are moving more freely today than last week due to the reopening of cities and towns in certain States. This is our governments’ attempt to re-establish the economy and save businesses but potentially cost lives.

It being debated and it is a controversy. As much as we need to get the businesses going again and have goods moving from hand to hand, it is with much trepidation that we begin this journey. The fact that over the last 6 weeks in quarantine, with stay-at-home orders and social distancing we have done a lot to protect lives. We don't know the exact number of lives that have been saved. None of us can know. None of us can know exactly what could happen or even what will happen. It's just a matter of projection, prediction and assumption.  Although the future is a mystery; there are facts that we do know. 1. the virus is passed very easily from person to person even with people who show no symptoms. 2. social distancing and stay-at-home orders have slowed the infection rate. It doesn't feel that way. A seven day moving average is about 70,000 new cases a day and the death toll continues to climb. Nonetheless, we know that we have saved lives and isn't that the most important thing. Isn't that the overall goal to keep as many people alive as possible regardless of the economy.

Just like in politics, our nation is torn; it's split between Democrats and Republicans in a way that our nation is torn between people who want to push the economy and open up, allowing more movement and the people who want to save lives by staying home.

I understand that not everybody is in a position where they can afford to stay at home and continue to live, meaning they have an income being paid to them (by city or a state funds). Many folks lost their jobs and now have no income and if they didn't have enough in savings the next month or two is crucial. When I think about these current times; I think about perspective. it's all about how you see it. It's about what you see or what you know. Those who have informed themselves of the current events because they want to or because they have to, they realize the scope of the situation and the depth of the crisis. Those that have lost family and friends and jobs and homes realize too. Only the truth is in the consequences for them; it is a real struggle. It is not a conspiracy nor a hoax. A real life struggle to survive and continue to live. Your understanding is based on your knowledge. Your knowledge is based on your ability to seek and find the truth. However, in traumatic situations, the truth is hidden and you must weed through the articles, speeches and propaganda to find the truth. Only then can we see the perspective on how it affects our lives. Remember this, what you do can and will affect others. That is the truth behind sheltering and social distancing orders. Your ability to protect yourself also protects others. We are in this together until the end as well as the beginning of the next phase of Our Lives.