To those of you who flung off social distancing, demonstrated as an armed mob for a “return to normalcy,” or flounced off to crowded beaches this past weekend because a little self-discipline is more than your delicate constitution can bear, here’s a love note….
In case you haven’t noticed, the pandemic has remade the world into the biological equivalent of a white-hot combat zone. An insidious invisible enemy is stalking us with ruthless efficiency, has penetrated deep into our ranks and is decimating us from within.
The intelligence available to help us fight back is confusing, contradictory and paper thin.
Anyone who ventures outside our defensive perimeters to flirt, frolic and fraternize with the enemy risks falling prey to its blandishments and could easily become, in effect, an infection-laden suicide bomber capable of wreaking further havoc on us all.
Anyone who lends aid and comfort to the enemy by breaching discipline and breaking faith with comrades or who willfully burdens our defenders by flouting reasonable and equitable protocols designed to protect us all is the moral equivalent of a traitor in wartime. Anyone without the self-discipline or moral fortitude to hold the line and sacrifice for the common good is no better than a coward.
Next time any of you beach bunnies or “Live Free or Die” phonies confront a virus-vulnerable grandparent or medical professional who’s spending every waking moment trying to save the lethally infected, at least have the decency to wear a face mask over your sun-tan. Better yet, hide your face in shame.