THE SPIRIT OF GIVING... people Covid
I just got home from tour with The New Pornographers on the West Coast. It was a haul and a half and FOUR of my close touring companions came down with Covid. Who still cares about people getting Covid? Me.
You will say I am shocked that no one is wearing masks ANYWHERE because I am ignorant or stupid or worse. Maybe I’m just selfish? I think about the tools I need to do my job (not to mention make my heart pump and breathe oxygen!) first and foremost, the number one thing I can’t do without are my two pink, squishy lungs. Hands down. No contest. You know what’s really crazy? Every single one of you needs your lungs too. Covid is an often disastrous respiratory DISEASE. Yes, it’s a disease. I’ve had it twice now. It’s not a “mild cold”. Though that’s how the majority of us seem to think of it. Is it just me or is losing our fear, as in respect of Covid going to REALLY fuck us? Or just me personally? I’m not into either scenario. I’m much better at loving all of you when I, myself, am healthy. My love is real and worthy. It’s powerful and I have a lot to give.
Speaking of giving…
I am also happier when those I love with compromised immune systems are respected. They are EVERYWHERE! ManFriendJeff, several best friends, bandmates, beloveds, seniors, acquaintances, internet friends, workmates, etc… The fucked up part is even people with compromised immune systems are getting complacent and not masking in tight quarters with people hacking all around them. It’s fucked up! We aren’t even respecting ourselves at this point, and I’m not perfect, believe me – I forget sometimes and fail to pull my mask back up in time or at all. I also know more people right now with Covid than any other time during this entire pandemic. I had to remind a friend to keep his mask on as he relayed the news of the deaths of two people in our lives from Covid last week. Two entire families are completely shattered. Those words ring as hollow as a Netflix tagline. Who cares, right? I still do.
The fact is, we don’t know enough about the long-term rollout of Covid to be so cavalier about it. That’s not Neko Case, scientist, talking; that’s Neko two-time Covid-getter talking, though the scientists do tend to agree. I am even thinking of reconsidering touring for the short term as there seems to be no respect for anyone, let alone the band you are blowing your weed-vape at. I feel pretty trapped by my beloved profession at the moment, which, if this were a marriage, people would be saying, “Get the fuck out!” I’m hoping to get over this feeling but ______? Holiday air and bus travel hasn’t exactly softened my hesitancy. The very real possibility of NO income keeps me trapped. There will be no comments open as I’m not in the mood, and I have another rapid test to take.
Somehow I still haven't had covid (that I know of). I'm not sure if it's because I'm serious about masking or that I live in the woods and don't have to be around crowds of people very often. However, last week I had to fly to the east coast for work, and I was very disheartened to see people on the plane coughing and sneezing (sans mask) like it was no big deal. On the flight home, I sat next to a woman who is undergoing chemotherapy, and was flying home to Anchorage after getting treatment in Seattle. She really didn't have a choice about being on that flight, and it made me wish that we all cared a little bit more about each other. Maybe the guy hacking up a lung behind us didn't feel like he needed a mask for his own safety, but I wish he could recognize that maybe he needs one for someone else's safety. I guess that's asking too much of us human assholes though.
I'm with you, Neko. Right at the beginning, before testing & vaccines, I came down with a case of what turned out to be COVID. I didn't die but I came pretty close. Ever hear about 'falls in the home'? I was so weak that my legs kept giving out & I would crash down & hit my head on the floor, the chair or the bookcase. Anyone who lacks the imagination to grok that this disease has killed over a million Americans--& could therefore kill YOU--is no better than a child. The only thing stupider than not being being careful is not getting vaccinated--and the people who somehow believe that the MIRACULOUS VACCINE against the DEADLY PANDEMIC --developed at warp speed, with our tax dollars, by scientists who devote their lives to saving the lives of others--is somehow a fraud & a poison.