I wrote a BLOG a while ago https://doublemdaily.com/2021/03/11/the-invisible-victims-of-the-covid-crisis/ that included a story from journalist, Ann Bauer. Edgar’s Story was also written by her. I read many things each week and some strike a chord and get stuck in my mind. This is one of those.
“Edgar’s Story”
Is anyone writing about how COVID restrictions have taken on a talismanic quality? People seem to think distancing and masks will prevent their death, period. From any cause.
I have an elderly relative. Call him Edgar. He was 84 in March 2020. He’s had cancer, heart problems, Type 2 diabetes, glaucoma, plus some condition that made his arms and legs swell.
Edgar was every kind of vulnerable to COVID so he supported every government intervention: lockdowns, school closures, curfews–despite a lifetime of ACLU membership and calls for small government.
He wore a mask, quit meeting his old friends for coffee, stopped moving, really. He got less ambulatory and more homebound. The only place he goes is to the doctor.
Today, he’s almost 86…..but he’s alive. AND he credits COVID restrictions for that, so he wants them to continue indefinitely. He wants schools closed or at the very least kids masked. He wants senior hours at stores. Restaurants with social distancing and masked servers. He wants protection 24/7, with no end. Because it worked.
I realized one day that in Edgar’s mind the COVID restrictions are less about preventing a virus from spreading than preventing his personal death. For a year and change he’s been hearing that people’s behavior matters. Protect the elderly! And he took it to heart.
That’s all it is to him. Masks on toddlers. School closures. Social distancing lines. Sanitizing surfaces. They are the magic spells and incantations that have been keeping him alive. Fauci says so. And unless they continue, Edgar is convinced he will die.
On the other hand, if we keep up the rituals, Edgar seems to believe he will live forever. That’s all those COVID-safe habits are at this point. They are the rain dances for people who fear death.
The COVID virus has resulted in millions of “Edgars”. You could read that story and simply say, “I feel sorry for Edgar. He’s scared and we should all do what we can to keep him healthy. ” But….. I don’t think it’s as simple as that.
Whether you want to admit it or not, FEAR is a pandemic in our country and has spread much faster and is more destructive than COVID right now.
Is society responsible for eliminating Edgar’s fear? And even if we change the way we live, work and socialize forever….will his fear be eliminated? Is society responsible for distancing, masking and sanitizing to keep him healthy? Should millions of citizens waive their constitutional freedoms to protect others?
The national mantra over the past 16 months has been, “Sacrifices must be made…..”
The unspoken piece of that mantra is that people were not asked what sacrifices they were willing to make. Sacrifices were mandated. Some people were forced to sacrifice jobs and money. Some sacrificed their education. Some sacrificed gatherings with family and friends. Many sacrificed breathing fresh air. And others sacrificed their lives because they couldn’t continue to exist in a world that had become so isolated and depressing.
Many questions will be asked as time moves on about how our country responded to COVID. Years from now, studies will be done analyzing the effects of these government mandates on all of us. The majority of states are now lifting mandates but after 16 months, it’s too late to undo the damage for many.
In a previous BLOG, I clearly describe the tragic struggles and deaths many children succumbed to as a result of the efforts to keep Edgar safe.
Is one generation more valuable than another? If we destroy one person’s life in an effort to save another’s…..did we succeed or fail?
The “Edgars” in our world are not ready to see normal life resume. Many will never be ready. Sadly, just as this story reveals, they believe that any end to these mandates will certainly result in their death.
Whatever your views on this story are, there is no denying that we have lots of “Edgars” in our world today.
Good Day! Wash your hands & QUIT TOUCHING YOUR FACE!!!!
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