Ernie's Take on the Pandemic Road Trip, Parts Three and Four

            

Ernie has posted two more episodes of our West Coast Pandemic Road Trip, which we took back in Late October/Early November, and it’s a good thing we went when we did because in recent weeks the roads we traveled have suffered various disasters. Mudslides and collapses have occurred, making me suspect that our venture was blessed – at least temporarily. 

 

Pandemic Road Odyssey Part Three

Pandemic Road Odyssey Part Four

 

Reading his accounts reminded me of the uneven behavior of people in towns and cities concerning masking and social distancing. Larger communities were inclined to mask and be cautious. The behavior of people in smaller communities depended on what state we were in and on the local politics. Many people seemed convinced that COVID is a hoax, or is overblown, or that they’re somehow immune, or that there’s no point in being cautious because you have to catch it to become immune. I never argue with these folks. I can’t change their minds, and it just upsets them. My personal experience with people is that I leave them alone and they leave me alone. No one has gotten into my face and yelled at me for wearing a mask, and I don’t confront them for not wearing one. 

 

Likewise, no one seemed inclined to argue politics or to rend their clothing and let their blood in grief over the outcome of the election. People mostly seemed to want to get on with their lives. Political polls notwithstanding, this is my impression of people in general. I’ve got a few friends on Facebook who are in crisis over the fact that Trump lost the election. Some of these folks have completely bought into the anti-Biden rhetoric, so they’re furious that someone they perceived to be a good man has been replaced by someone they’re certain is a bad man. Seriously, I blame People Magazine. For decades they sold Donald Trump as a rich, successful, likeable rascal. But the man is a ratfucker. You heard it here first.

 

My Mom is dying, but not of COVID. She’s 99 years old, and all of her systems are shutting down. You have to admire that kind of lasting power. Mom stayed interested in things, and she enjoyed her life, even the simple things. Especially the simple things.

As for me, I just had an emergency appendectomy (without insurance), I had to have my old dog Lovey put to sleep (she had a very aggressive cancer), and I haven’t been able to write a word in almost a year. But I’m still inclined to be optimistic. Life has tides. I’m going with the flow.