Where Did Common Sense Go.

Common sense where did you go? Asking for a friend.  Ever since the pandemic came to North America common sense left our vernacular our reality our society. From day one there were COVID deniers and conspiracy theories. 

It didn’t help that the so called most powerful man in the world, the dumpster fire orange menace currently occupying the Oval Office was the biggest denier. At every corner he has done everything to discredit the medical experts and science. He has no conscience and no soul. 

I used to watch the news daily, in fact I was such a news junkie I would devour the newspapers before breakfast and watch all the news channels. Now I sometimes let the papers go a day without reading them. When now I watch the news I get a headache and feel depressed and anxious. I wonder if there is a future and what it will look like. 

On the other hand I look and hear about how my grandson is embracing life at 4 1/2 and living like there is no care in the world and it his oyster. I have hope and he gives me hope to continue on. I look at my stepdaughter and think how strong, mature she is. How she is blazing her own path and preparing (her words) for the apocalypse. My stepson lives in Vancouver and knows more about that city than any other person. He is the city greatest ambassador. He has written a book waiting to be published. A free spirit embracing life to the fullest and creating his own niche. They give me hope to carry on.

We will be living the new normal for many years to come. Our mental health will continue to waver. We are all doing our best. We are all flawed human beings. When we know better we do better. Be discerning, be accepting, be responsible, be respectful and when someone tells you to wear a mask to enter their establishment Wear a Mask. Don’t throw a hissy fit about your constitutional rights are being violated. 

Self care and good mental health. We are all in this together. By working together we can get common sense back and prevalent. 

Good Trouble

I have been thinking about how interesting the world has become over the last 7 months. How much has changed and will continue to change. What will the new normal look like? In my own bubble How much has changed and how far still to go.

I do know that masks and social distancing are here to stay and that is not a bad thing. It is a good thing. I do know that we will be living with the coronavirus for quite awhile. I do know that it will be awhile before I travel to the United States. In fact it may be awhile before we travel anywhere outside of Manitoba. We are doing well, however, we have to remain vigilant and do everything to prevent an uptick in cases. 

As the Province opens up and we begin to interact with more people in more settings our comfort level will increase or decrease depending on the scenario. Case in point this weekend we were out at a gathering on Friday night about 10 people in total. A few I knew the others met for the first time. A lady shows up about 11pm and some of the people call her brown sugar. Later on I asked her if she was okay being called brown sugar. She said yes and then explained that is her nickname. Last night we went and met with some people Shelley knew from high school and hadn’t seen in over 30 + plus. They were able to pick up right where they left off all those years ago.

There are many things I have noticed and learned from this Pandemic. The most important thing is to put our faith and trust in the medical professionals and scientists. I work in the healthcare field and as more is learnt about the virus the more adaptable we become. We have gone from screening to self screening for entry into the office. Also if you are unwell don’t come to work. I am sure I would not be the only one who would drag themselves into work knowing full well that we were not 100%. Well that ship has sailed. 

People still think in the new normal that we can get away with saying whatever we want and doing whatever we want because it is our right, freedom and liberties. Many examples abound. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez is an amazing young lady and  a Democratic Congressman . She was called a f...king bitch by a misogynist narcissist impersonating a Republican Congressman. She schooled him in public and gained the respect of a nation. Capitol Hill is not and has not for a long time been the last bastion of white male privilege however Some still think it is. 

Shelley enjoys playing poker. Yet almost every time she plays there is always one or two players who feel that it is there place to tell her that the poker room is not for women. Again she calls them out all the time. 

Inappropriate behaviour needs to be called out and the perpetrators held accountable for their actions.  For the last several months pictures of bad, racist, inappropriate behaviour have been called out and shamed on social media.  They have been referred to by a male and female name. This reference has been used and is a direct insult to everyone with that name. It is unnecessary and totally inappropriate to use a name which could be our wife’s, mother’s, sister’s, daughter’s, granddaughters, nieces, nephews, grandson’s son’s, brother’s, father’s and husband. I admit I have used the names in reference to their actions. I recognize how inappropriate and insensitive it was and will no longer use the reference. I am sorry. When I know better I do better. 

Everyday lessons are learned and I am working on being a better human being. One of the simplest things to do is to be kind. Be kind to ourselves, be kind to others and be kind to our environment. John Lewis civil rights icon lived a life we can all learn from and emulate. Rest In Power.