So, some of you may recognize the title and where it comes from. It is from Rocky IV and it’s a quote from Ivan Drago after knocking Apollo Creed unconscious of what was supposed to be an exhibition bout. It is also the subject of today’s corvid-19 blog. How’s that for gloom and doom?
I recently saw a report that quoted Texas lieutenant governor, Dan Patrick as saying that… Hold on … I want to see the video … From Fox News … Here is exactly what he said, “As a senior citizen, are you willing to take a chance on your survival in exchange for keeping the America that all America loves for your children and your grandchildren? And if that’s the exchange, I’m all in.” I literally just watched his interview on Fox, and that is exactly what he said, so there is no dispute on interpretation. Is this a fair exchange? Does it make sense? One can make the argument that poverty kills millions, whereas Corvid-19 has not come close to other mechanisms of mortality. I will be honest with you, I think a point can be made to make sure the economy remains intact, in spite of the coronavirus. I have thought about this, but I have come to one simple conclusion/problem. Am I willing to take a chance on my survival if it impacts the survival of others? I am not.
Here is the problem I have with Mr. Patrick’s statement. Are all senior citizens willing to forego treatment in the event they contract Corvid-19? Are all senior citizens willing to cut themselves off from the public? What is the age cutoff? Eighty percent of deaths have been of people 65 and older. Does health matter? Of those that died, those with cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, or high blood pressure were at increased risk. Everyone above 65 would have to be not only quarantined, but denied health care. Because honestly, this is the only way it would work.
This is what we told our kids. If you get the virus, you will probably be fine. But what if you give it to a friend (who will also probably be fine), but that friend gives it to the grocery store cashier, and that cashier gives it to your 80 year old grandmother? Is that still fine? They said no, that is not fine.
It’s one thing to gamble your own survival, but in this case, it is gambling the survival of others, without their permission. We put it to our kids in another way. What if someone is in a car accident and the local hospital can’t treat them because they are too busy with Corvid patients? Our kids also said that would be unacceptable.
Look, this is not easy. But it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. We can provide support for our neighbors. We can make sure that those hit hardest by this economic hit have a safety net. The experts tell us, if we do nothing, the economic hit will be far greater than the economic hit of a few weeks of shelter in place. If you think about it, how amazing is it that we live in a country where everyone can be fed even during a shelter in place order. The only reason, and I mean the ONLY reason stores are out of stock is because of hoarding. We can be better. We have to be better. I hear that Mr. Patrick is willing to risk his own survival, but in doing so, he is risking the survival of others. Basically what he is saying, is that if he is sick, the rest of the country should just say, “If he dies, he dies.” (roll credits). That’s not the American way, that’s the Russian Ivan Drago way.
I like Rocky IV (see above), but Rocky III is highly underrated. I’m just sayin’…
Post Script: It was pointed out to me that I have been writing Corvid-19, instead of Covid-19. I was told by my friend who studies birds. I began my graduate career studying birds. I plan on keeping the mistake in the blog. For those that do not know, a Corvid is short for bird in the Corvidae family. The family includes crows, ravens, jays, and magpies to name a few. A very intelligent group of animals, also highly annoying. They are the a$$holes of the bird world. Seriously. I’m just sayin’…
Race Credit Karma: Brett's Blog 