Skip to main content

Corona Times III


It's been several months since I've last punched the keys solely on this experience that is and has been a global pandemic - and truthfully, we now say pandemic as if we've become used to and seasoned experts to these scenarios. Ah, you know, we'll do that when we're not in a pandemic!

But since my last post in this thread (Corona Times II), our outlook as a nation and society has changed vastly on how we're approaching everything that is the Coronavirus. For starters, it's all become politicized. Opening protocols. Masks. Preventative measures. Schools. Work. Sports. Heck, just the mere validity of the virus' existence is still debated in some circles.

Nonetheless, we've gained a bit more knowledge on the virus and how to live with it, but it still remains a thorn in the side of our everyday existence - or in getting back to some sort of acceptable, normalized, standard. 

What is not lost are those who have perished from this virus. The nearly 300,000 lives lost, and so many more still recovering from the loss of loved ones. And what has not changed is the lack of leadership our country has had during these crucial times. So imagine my outrage when we receive leaked recordings (from February) of the President of the United States - yes, that guy, with that responsibility - withholding the severity of the virus to all of us. 

Let's remove all of the political ties to this scenario. To be honest, It doesn't matter what political party you identify with, what you believe in, or what your thoughts are on ideal America. The fact that the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, was aware of a severe threat to our country, to its people - his most salient responsibility in holding the office that he does - and did not warn the American people is absolutely gross. It's irresponsible. It's a cause for anger and for feelings of betrayal.

On top of that, for months he had the audacity to hold press conferences recommending bleach injecting solutions, parading pillow manufacturer CEOs before the American public, and continuing to push forward with campaign rallies is further evidence of his inability to lead. And most importantly, his inability to feel. Empathy. 

Spare me the political rhetoric rebuttals. Economy, prison reform, the stock market, yada, yada, yada. Again, hone in on this one action - safety, truth, and empathy. 

I find it very difficult to take the "...I don't want to create panic" argument/reasoning as a credible reason. I would buy it if our President wasn't encouraging protests (ironic, huh?) in his messages of "LIBERATE MICHIGAN!" during the pandemic. Again, when he knew the facts all along. 

I try - I really do - not to pile on the President the way our society has become natured in doing. However, this - THIS - to me is too much. 

Not when a few friends and acquaintances have perished from this virus. Not when I watch so many within my industry get furloughed or laid off. Not when so many people are unable to attain a solid education. Not one home-evictions are through the roof, and homelessness is skyrocketing. Not when the nation is completely ripped apart in so many dividing ways. 

He knew. And led us to believe he didn't. 

He knew. And did nothing. 

I always knew I disagreed with the President's policies - but my safety? My wellbeing? I always presumed that was assured, no matter who the President was. 

I guess I was a fool. Maybe, a "loser" and a "sucker". 

He knew. 

He knew it all along. 

Recently Read Posts

A Product of Us: Thoughts on Durant Trade

I said back in July when Kevin Durant rocked the NBA world with his trade request, that he "showed us who he was".  It wasn't a negative comment, but one that encompasses his entire career being a product of our current sport climate - success and focus on legacy. We emphasize the value of a career on rings, and thus, Durant has too. Why wouldn't he?!  Upon waking up and realizing that Durant will don the purple and orange for the Phoenix Suns in what is clearly now a team to watch come the NBA Playoffs, I find myself further pondering if Kevin Durant is the prime result of what we - yes, us! - have done to the modern athlete.  Today, Durant is one of the greatest basketball players I've ever seen. EVER. The dude is rare. He's a seven-foot magician which makes defending him even more difficult based on how damn efficient he is on the basketball court. It's downright poetic and beautiful to watch Durant play. And yes, I'm romanticizing his game. I belie

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 2/19/23

3 Up 1. India's Tap Water Access - This is a rather remarkable story. It's a story that offers humility wrapped in the extraordinary. India's Jal Jeevan Mission provided almost 79 million - 79 MILLION! - households with tap water. Just tap water!  2. Jordan Make-A-Wish Record - MJ is often loved through nostalgia, narrative, and remembrance for being politically neutral - even in giving. MJ these days has made some influential contributions, including this latest $10M donation to the Make-A-Wish foundation.  3. WWE Elimination Chamber - A tremendously entertaining pay-per-view on the road to Wrestlemania. The best storyline in pro wrestling continues to evolve between Sami Zayn and the Bloodline.  3A. City of Montreal - Give it up to the city of Montreal for what made a few nights of pro wrestling an awesome experience. Can we get this city more events?  3 Down 1. Michigan State Shooting - We're broken. Very broken. My thoughts and prayers are with those friends and fam

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 2/5/23

3 Up 1. Beyonce History - The Queen made history at the Grammys with her 32nd (!!) win. The number alone sounds absolutely ridiculous, but after all, it's Beyonce we are discussing here. Congrats to Queen B.  2. Viola Davis - We're going career acknowledgment this weekend and up next is the wonderfully talented, Viola Davis. Davis entered that rarified air in entertainment rounding out her "EGOT" with a Grammy win. Every time you think about an EGOT, it makes you appreciate just how damn talented you must be to be in that conversation.  3. Tom Brady Career - And then there is Brady, who finally called it a career. It's wild to think I was a teenager watching Tom Brady win his first Super Bowl. Congrats to Brady on a remarkable career.  3 Down 1. Florida Higher Ed Proposal - If Florida leadership wasn't doing all sorts of cringy things within the education system, this week we saw proposed bills to eliminate diversity programs and a call to reduce tenure for ed

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Uncorked (2020)

What is it about? Elijah must balance his love and dream to become a master sommelier with his father's expectations to carry on and take charge of the family business.  Who is in it? Mamoudou Athie - Elijah Courtney B. Vance - Louis Niecy Nash - Sylvia Sasha Compere - Tanya Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert]  Following taking the sommelier exam, Elijah is restless in the hotel room. His father knocks on the door, and suddenly plans to spend the night with him. He pours them both a glass of wine, and they play dominoes.  Favorite Quote:  "How do you choose between family and your dream?" "How do you choose between family and your dream?" Review:  I first saw Uncorked on Netflix during the height of the pandemic lockdown when we all had nothing else better to do than watch television. So of course, go figure, after testing positive for COVID this week, your boy felt miserable nothing better to do while dealing with sever symptoms that watch a movie.  The film was as