What I have learned in 2020

1. Trust the scientists and experts. Really? So far, they haven’t gotten much right. Number of infections, hospitalizations, ventilators needed and deaths. Not even close. Trust science, but be skeptical of scientists and experts.

2. I should wear a face mask because the experts say it helps? See item number one.

3. Public policy based on computer models built with questionable assumptions doesn’t seem like a very good idea.

4. Over 40 million unemployed and who knows how many deaths from despair seems like a high price to pay to protect a well identified vulnerable group (aged and infirm). Maybe we should quarantine them next time and let the rest of us live our lives.

5. When someone says “we’re in this together,” rest assured they haven’t lost their job or business.

6. While condemning the murder of anyone, it seems odd that Black Lives Matters’ heroes are usually convicted felons who died during the commission of another crime. Strange.

7. People peacefully protesting police racism and violence are frightened by guys with guns and want the police to protect them. Ironic.

8. Some people want to “defund the police.” If that happens, expect to see A LOT more people with guns out and about.

The next six months should be entertaining.

Steve Temple

Sandpoint