210305 Covid day 360 Change is Now

Mar. 4

This sign was posted at the medical clinic that I go to, on March 4 last year. Looking back at February 2020, I can't remember what I was thinking then about the new virus. I was busy with grandchildren and my ailing mother-in-law. But on the 4th of March I saw that a pandemic might be imminent, although I'm not sure I used that word. 

Over the next few days I did a major restock of our larder, bringing it back to a 4 week supply of non-perishable necessary foods - fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains and cereals. Also stocked drinking water, batteries, over-the-counter and prescription medicines, first aid supplies, toiletries and toilet paper (yes! don't laugh!), disinfectant, isopropyl alcohol, drinking alcohol, dog food.  I thought I might be over-reacting, but it was better to be prepared and it was, in any case, a good rehearsal for a future Event. Also took out cash - in an apocalypse banks and credit cards might become unusable so cash is on our emergency supply list. This turned out to be unnecessary. Touchless pay became the new way: debit, credit cards and etransfers have become the coin. Likewise, in a power outage gas pumps stop working. We keep the car at half-tank minimum. 

A week later, March 11, the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic. The seniors' residence began screening visitors on the 10th and restricted entry, a day or two later, to essential caregivers. I was fortunate enough to get on that list, having been there almost daily since my mother-in-law had moved. Because of the residence protocols I was among the first to be wearing a mask and gloves in stores as well as at the residence, and sanitizing hands, car doors, and more. 

All that seems so long ago. Today is Covid day 359; we have been dealing with this for almost a year. In that year almost every country has been hit with waves of infections and responded with some form of prevention: lockdowns, mandatory mask use and social distancing. The medical community has learned a lot about dealing with the disease, vaccines have been successfully produced and are now being administered in many countries around the world. That is certainly an accomplishment to be proud of. But there is still so much that is not understood: asymptomatic carriers, patients who have suffered symptoms for many weeks or months, and strange, sometimes lethal symptoms - blue toes, organ failure throughout the body. For many it has been far more than a respiratory infection. All over the world countries who have successfully controlled the virus face second or third waves as soon as they let down their guard. New variants of the virus are circling the globe bringing unforeseeable challenges. There is a patchwork mentality, fits of lockdown and control followed by relaxation of rules too soon and too broad. Leaders stumble about trying this and that, too afraid to go hard and fast against the virus, because they are afraid for their jobs and their own economic security. 

After a year of this it is apparent that the needs of the wealthy have been placed above the needs of the poor. Money has continued to flow into the coffers of corporations, big business and banks while milllions of common people are without jobs, or work in essential sectors for inadequate wages. The financial aid to the poor and middle class has been barely enough. Governments and politicians have made no effort to reform the economy and balance the wealth to support a real recovery from the pandemic. They continue to let the virus attack the poor and marginalized who work to keep essential services going. The rich are getting richer and living in safety and comfort while the poor keep the world turning. How can we fix this? Wherever we turn to find solutions, the wealthy and corporate business continue to hold the power. They have the power to protect their stronghold - they hold the purse strings of the government, and the government cowtows to them. It has taken the pandemic to open our eyes to the plight of the poor, the systemic oppression to which they are subjected. Can we shout loud enough to bring about change? Do our politicians have the guts and the humanity to stand up and fight for what is right, for what we pretend our country stands for - health and prosperity for all. Do we have the guts to vote into power those who might actually dare to bring about real change? 

We are still in the grip of this pandemic. We cannot put our lives on hold until it's over. We can't wait. We have to build new ways to live and work that conform to the requirements of pandemic protocols, while we fight now for the changes we want to see in society. We need fair living wages, true equality for all, an end to the neglect and oppression of so many. There are small movements gathering momentum, quiet voices calling for change. Perhaps if we all add our voices and make our actions match our principles there will come a shift, a sea change; the tide will turn and the poor and the meek will at last inherit their birthright.

Be well. Thank you for visiting. Take from this what fits you and leave behind what doesn't suit. 

Mumma Yaga