Taking up arms against a sea of troubles

“In Michigan, protesters, some armed, entered the state Capitol, demonstrating against Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order as lawmakers inside were considering whether to extend the state’s expiring emergency declaration. Later in the day, Michigan’s House decided against extending the emergency declaration.”

The Washington Post, April 30, 3030

Does anyone else have a problem with this?

A week ago, I was dismayed at footage of a woman hurling insults at two healthcare workers. She was annoyed, because they stood firm blocking a caravan of braying mobs in pickup trucks and minivans. At least she just waved a sign, not a semi-automatic rifle.

Does carrying a weapon make your argument stronger? Or is that the only way you believe your argument is winnable?

This week, I’ve listened to interviews with frightened — not just worried — workers. Their fear? That the government was about to force them to make a life-or-death decision they never expected to make when they took a job as a stock-picker or waitress, as a meatpacker or, who knows?, maybe even a zumba instructor.

The dilemma? Return to their jobs in a “mandatory open” state, despite rising coronavirus deaths and steeply increasing infection rates; despite possible risks to their health or to the health of someone they care for. Or refuse to return, and risk for sure losing their unemployment insurance payments by declining to take a job when offered one.

Now there are people who should be granted permission to take up arms against a sea of troubles…

Safety (is) in the numbers

No, I don’t mean gang-sized numbers of armed Americans yelping for their right to breathe freely and quite possibly infect their inoffensive neighbors. I do mean the small army of ordinary Americans willing to do the right thing for their ‘brethren and sistren,’ and stay the heck home.

I love with all my heart the good folks who don’t add their asymptomatic presence to the burden of fear felt by those people who must go to a job-site every day. The responsible people who don’t depress the hell out of the medical professionals who must view every public gathering as so much ER and ICU fodder. The generous people who seek ways to support those in need, whether by donating to an overwhelmed food pantry, buying online from a locally owned shop, or reading a Zoom story to a toddler so mama can grab a shower or make dinner.

And to lift up my own heart, I’m going to tune in to The Call to Unite on May Day. At the risk of burning down my wi-fi, I’m going to leave it running all day Saturday. I’ll be bopping to Peter Gabriel while I clean the bathroom, watching Marie Kondo as I fold the laundry, and listening to Quincy Jones or Yo-Yo Ma as I make my supper. And before the sun sets 24 hours later, I plan to reach out to #answerthecall.

Hope you feel like doing likewise.