A stark reality

Pages A1 and A10 in the December 8 Spokesman-Review reveal the stark reality of COVID-19. On A1, the front page headline reads, “Masks optional in Rathdrum.” Page A10 lists statistics of worldwide corovavirus cases showing that last week the U.S. alone had more new cases than the combined total of the next nine leading countries. Think about that news and ask why?

In less than a year, the number of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. has blown past any comparison to major disasters that have occurred during my lifetime including the Korean, Vietnam and Iraq wars, car, airline and ship wrecks and 9/11.

Only heart disease and cancer will kill more Americans this year than COVID-19. A significant difference between these killers is that only the virus is contagious. Smart precautions and small inconveniences are the best and only defenses we have until there is a vaccine. The key word here is “smart.”

In my view, the opposite of smart is stupid. “Optional” stupidity has been passed off as “freedom of choice” and accepted by far too many gullible people. The origin of and responsibility for this willful stupidity rests solely on the president. History will not look kindly at his negligence and lack of leadership.

Wake up, folks. We likely have several more months of widespread illness before the vaccines turn the tide of the virus. Follow the advice of scientists and doctors. Wear a mask, wash your hands and avoid others. How hard is that?

For the sake of yourself, your loved ones and all the health care workers, please don’t be stupid.

Harvey Morrison

Spokane