A More Dangerous Variant

Americans once hailed healthcare workers as heroes.
Previously rated ten now to zero.
Though they work tirelessly to save lives in the community.
Sometimes separating from their families.
Every day that they work, contracting the virus is a possibility.
And the emotional toll to them has been real.
More strain is being placed on our health care systems.
Not just the potential shortage of equipment.
But there’s the risk of spreading the staff too thin.
If they get sick and have to be isolating.
A bigger problem still.
One of our own making.
In some places, non-emergency surgeries are being canceled.
All hands needed in this Covid-19 battle.
Yet some see healthcare workers as tyrants.
Those who don’t want to hear their guidance.
The “tyrants” are subject to rants and rage.
From those the “tyrants” are trying to save.
And now there is no civility.
As people fight for their “liberties”.
They come with racial slurs and intimidation.
No room for discussion or exchange of information.
Raw emotional displays against any restriction that comes their way.
Their desires, and wishes are right.
So for a while, there hasn’t been and there isn’t soon to be, any compromise.

Also, there are still all-out attacks against Democrats.
Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, accusing them of deliberately bringing
infected children into the U.S. from across the border.
Republican facts for order.
He was suspended from You-Tube for spreading false information
about mask-wearing.
America’s opposition working.
He called for US to “resist” government policies, referring to the
guidelines regarding Covid-19.
America’s well-oiled Republican machine.
Accusing the “tyrants” of wanting to lock-down again.
Encouraging US to go against their “harmful policies” and mandates.
Not resolving, but adding to the problem.
As people are getting sick, hospital ICU’s at their brink and to overflowing.
Some expressing regrets for blowing off vaccination.
For being vaccine deniers or for being hesitant.
Now they are faced with suffering and/or death.
Those who lost loved ones or experience long term symptoms.
Tragedies which did not have to be.
The Republicans and the right are responsible for this scene.

In a pandemic, many don’t want the vaccine.
But they don’t have valid reasons for it not to be.
They minimize the need for personal responsibility as members of society.
When it’s dire, in this type of situation.
When individual behaviors can cause direct spread throughout the Nation.
Many want for mask wearing to be a choice.
But in a pandemic, it should not.
Especially as people are resisting the vaccination.
Not wearing a mask negates protection.
Which is needed to stop the spread of infection.
Some still not believing that the virus exists.
Guidelines are there for them to dismiss.
Endangering those in our society.
Not just directly, but leaving the possibility for an even more contagious, resistant and deadly variant.
Containment now is salient.
But the right keeps using personal freedom as a carrot.
To satisfy the base’s palate.
And with the spread of disinformation.
It’s been a deadly combination.
A tunnel vision to personal freedom while denying truth.
How do you pull someone out from that loop?

President Biden made the tough call.
Where there can – let there be mandatory vaccination.
Many outcry and are appalled.
Resistant just as when a decision was made to pass Medicaid and the ACA.
Initially rejected but used and needed.
That’s what leaders do.
Make tough decisions when they need too.
Not for selfish reasons and popularity.
But to promote health, education, the economy and security.

Imagine our world if people didn’t step to the plate and vaccinate against measles, mumps or polio.
Never take one for the team – Always ride solo.
What will it take people to try?
Sugar-coated like gummi-vites?
There is often a level of uncertainty with medicines, medical procedures and surgery.
We weigh the pros and cons, then take that leap of faith.
Especially when the consequence for the not doing is so great.
How many even know what they ingest?
Harmful chemicals and ingredients from the air and in our food.
Yet they act so prude when it comes to the vaccine.
Looking for perfection and 100 percent guarantee.
But some are only interested to wave their political stick.
And get enjoyment on their cultural kicks.
A substantial number of Americans, who don’t have to, die.
The social, economic, physical and mental toll have been high.
Many are not as they were before Covid.
As they experience long term effects that are negative.

Such rejections and oppositions were initially concentrated at the head.
But there has been a full body spread.
There’s been sufficient proof –
If you want to avoid disinformation and embrace truth.
Social and right wing media are not what you should choose.
Yet so many still do.
People underestimate the weight and strength from the right’s influence.
Democrats hit back with kid gloves.
Trying to absorb each blow as it comes.
Soon to be a knock-out punch.
If they don’t protect American’s freedom to live.
We will forever be at the mercy of this pandemic.

Imagine in a global viral spread.
Among mass infections and death.
There is a side demanding their Rights.
They fight against science and what is proven to help and protect.
Refusing to inject, in the name of personal freedom.
In a society already broken down and beaten.
Those who are able, but not willing to get a vaccine.
What about freedom to live free of Covid-19?
And why is freedom focused on not wearing a mask?
Is covering your face really too much to ask?
What about the freedom to get the virus under control?
Rather than having to face the alternative that is worse.

Pro-Life supposedly has been the voice for the unborn children.
Those who can’t speak for themselves.
Isn’t it the same now for children under twelve?
Who have no choice of a vaccine to protect themselves?
It should be a rule to get kids back in school.
But not to the deliberate exposure of harm.
All adults then who can, should want to get the shot in the arm.
But since that has not been the case,
to keep the children safe, there is a call for mask mandates.
Without the shots, masks are the only armor for our little ones.
Still, there is resistance and opposition.
Despite the increased cases and hospitalization among the unvaccinated, which includes our young.
That continued call for free in this state of emergency, has truly been dumb.

While more kids of single-digit ages are being hospitalized.
Republican and right-wing continue spreading lies.
Discouraging people from following life-saving guidelines.
They preach that government information, recommendations and interventions are over-reach.
When it’s to educate and teach.
What consequence would knock some sense into their heads?
If now, not even deaths?
This is not an attempt to control Americans by the Feds.
If you don’t want to stay on the road.
Get out of the way and let people go.
Don’t be a part of their load.
Or an obstruction to just and fair.
Nor a barrier to life-saving care.

The right’s obsession and determination when it comes to personal freedom is also now, a dangerous variant.
The right has no filter they say as crazy as they want.
And their listeners hold to their words as if they were the Commandments.
People are confusing free-will and freedom.
With free-will you can do what you want.
But it doesn’t guarantee you freedom.
Free-will does allow you to choose your do.
But there will be cost and consequence, not just to you given that you’re part of a community too.
You can choose to go mask-less, but that action isn’t harmless.
You can refuse vaccination which can lead to your or another’s termination.
Some say they just want to live and are willing to take the risk.
It’s to their death or for them getting sick.
But that decision they say they are making for themselves.
Will have an effect on others as well.
Some rule and do as if they live in a vacuum.
But we all live in bubbles that are interconnected through triumphs and troubles.
Ignoring that, doesn’t change the facts.
There will still be real life consequences and societal impacts.
Despite some who are intent to pretend.
As the government and others are just trying to protect.
And with continued spread while trying to prevent deaths –
It’s not just the inevitable restrictions that can come from government.
It’s the toll that will plague our lives and environment.
Short and long term effects.
What we won’t be able to do or no longer be able to get.
And when nature’s flow takes control, we won’t have a say or go.
We won’t be free to do as we will.
But be at the mercy to whatever mother nature then brings.
The freedoms we enjoy today are not guaranteed stays.
Sad to say, we will be the ones to have thrown our freedoms away.