Valedictions

Five Miles Downrange:

Dearest Readers,

Edgar Allen Poe hit in on the head in the Masque of the Red Death, death is inevitable despite one’s standing in society, or their political leanings. We have seen in media rez the timeline of the Trump Administration’s handling of the virus and, to be honest, I still stand by earlier observations that there isn’t a whole lot of things that the Presidential Administration could have done at the time beyond shutting down the borders and upping production (President Biden mandated travel quarentine, and reaffirmed the production by Executive Order within the first days of office). However, even now we see reports that President Biden sees the trajectory not ebbing (albeit, a narrative from the White House has said this was more directed at immediate results not occurring). This just goes to show that the flattening of the curve comes down to personal responsibility and local (State) roll out of the vaccine.

What I have observed, either from my daily excursions or from my interactions with work, is that the feelings of hope that things will get better is out there on the street despite the rising numbers of illnesses and deaths. Of course, I am counting out the acts of senseless violence that court the fringes of this great Nation. I am simply talking about what I see in a general daily routine from greeting to valediction - the simple words “Be safe.” Two small words. Yet, I hear them uttered everywhere when we are served or before leaving at the end of the workday.

It’s a great sentiment. To be kept safe. For in President Biden’s words- this is a war on COVID, and to be honest, who knows what randomness will befall a person in this era? The best we can do is social distance and wear a mask (even after vaccine).

Keep you and yours safe out there.

S