Friends, a few short months ago, the only people wearing masks on our streets were Antifa thugs -- and municipalities pondered banning masks to stop their reign of terror. Now, governments across the U.S. are pondering mandating the wearing of face masks to protect the public from the coronavirus. It's a mad, mad world!
Now, do I believe that wearing masks is prudent? I'm not a doctor, but it strikes me as more than odd that the authorities told us for weeks that masks were useless and not to bother, and now they've pivoted to "masks are lifesavers and ought to be worn from cradle to grave". Where's the proof that masks are efficacious, especially when worn by laymen who are unschooled in their proper use? Moreover, once we cross the threshold of telling people not only how to behave, but how to dress in public, how will we ever unwind this manifestation of Big Brother? Let's not forget -- the risk of infection when you're in public will never be zero. So when will it be safe, or relatively safe, to resume normalcy? We're not told. No one seems to have given the question serious thought. We're playing it by ear.
I find it interesting that, in many respects, the Europeans are out in front in addressing the question of how society reboots after the worst of the scourge has passed. Throughout Europe, shops are reopening, schools are back in session, and workplaces are once again buzzing with activity. Thus far, we have no clarity on when that will happen here.
And so I ask the question: how long will we, how long can we, live in fear? I sincerely hope the answer is: not much longer. We in New York, who are still under lockdown and have just been commanded by our Governor (kinda, sorta) to wear masks in public, will soon witness other states and localities start to lift restrictions, when here they grow more onerous by the day. It seems to me the momentum is shifting. Gov. Cuomo may be the last to notice, but even he will have to face the music soon.
As for me, I don't claim to know whether wearing a mask is advisable or not, medically speaking, but I do know this: masks are dehumanizing, and they're an outward sign of our (closely cultivated) fear, as well as our blind obeisance to the powers-that-be. I hope we dispense with them as soon as possible.
https://news.yahoo.com/york-require-masks-face-coverings-183859577.html
And here are some other stories worthy of your attention.
The irony in the fact that Democrats and liberals are now defending states' rights is incredibly thick. The 10th Amendment is about as precious to progressives as the Book of Leviticus, under normal circumstances.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2020/04/15/hell_freezes_over_in_coronavirus_pandemic_washington_media_embraces_federalism_142950.html
And that hoped-for primary contest between AOC and Chuck Schumer could, I repeat COULD, happen!
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/aoc-doesnt-rule-out-2022-primary-challenge-to-sen-schumer
And lastly, at the risk of adding fuel to the fire of conspiracy theories, some in Washington, and at Fox News headquarters, are now taking seriously the idea that the coronavirus may have originated in a Wuhan laboratory. We shall see. No conclusive proof, as yet, but if the Chinese do bear even greater responsibility for this debacle than previously reported, you can bet the entire world is going to be hopping mad!
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/coronavirus-wuhan-lab-china-compete-us-sources
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/us-military-and-spy-agencies-investigating-wuhan-lab-contamination-coronavirus-theory
I have this sinking feeling that a great many people might be enjoying the Corona Virus pandemic more than they should. My guess is that politicians of all ideological schools see it as a perfect opportunity to practice a certain type of social engineering.
ReplyDeleteWith reference to AOC and Schumer, the fact that these two people are in the U.S. Congress, is a testimony to how low politics are in this country. Schumer is at best a fool, and all I see in AOC is a radical left, ruthless, and angry Latina. AOC is the female version of the late Ernesto "Che" Guevara (died 1967), although not as smart.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of the Corona Virus and Europeans, is a good example of the fact that in many respects the Europeans are considerably more mature in certain areas, than are Americans in general. They are NOT better than Americans, but more mature.
ReplyDeleteMy best guess (and also my worst) is that no matter what the world thinks (or does not think) about China in relation to this pandemic, in the end, China really could give less of a damn about world opinion. Folks, this is a regime that has probably killed millions since it came to power in 1949. If you want to know about approximately how many people the PRC has killed over the decades for politically related reasons and excuses, I refer you to the late R.J. Rummel. China will continue to attempt to become a super power. Get ready for more pandemics, or whatever Peking thinks up next. Sorry for the pessimism, but China does NOT think as we do, and certainly not at the top of the Chinese political structure. Prepare for the worst!
ReplyDeleteWith regard to states' rights, what can one really say, at least realistically. In a way, what we have are 50 different "sovereign" nations without sovereignty. For example, there is California with what I understand to have the fifth largest economy in the world, and right next door is Nevada, a desert state (literally) that can barely make it without gambling and prostitution up and running.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I see or hear your Governor (The Duce) Cuomo I am reminded "Mambo Italiano" sung by the late Rosemary Clooney.
ReplyDeleteFunny, I see and hear the music from the Godfather. lol
DeleteWearing masks where I live in "The Heartland" seems to be optional. Where my son lives on The Left Coast, wearing a mask is NOT optional, and if you are anywhere outside without one, you get fined, period.
ReplyDeleteI will NOT comply...so bring on the fines and jail time...which I find odd; they are letting out criminals because of the virus and they want to fine and jail us for not complying. Hmm...
DeleteMy guess on how much longer all this "lockdown" on Corona Virus will continue, is it should be winding down significantly by this early Fall 2020. Of course I won't bet $ on it, or I could lose. I'm really curious about places like Las Vegas! Anyone who has been there or just driven through it, knows that Las Vegas in particular is TOTALLY dependent on tourists. That's what you get when you places all of your cards on a "single crop" economy, no pun intended.
ReplyDeleteI see the Las Vegas mayor called this whole things stupid or something like that.
DeleteLooks like the film industry is on "lockdown" also, or at least from what I can see. But I am willing to bet that after things get started up again at Fantasy World on The Left Coast, that there will no doubt be some Corona Virus Movies in production.
ReplyDeleteBack to China and the virus again. I'm sure the Chinese propaganda machine must be operating on overdrive (plus cruise control) in anticipation of how the ruling elite there are going to tell the world to "get over it" or something to that effect. So, how many excess people does China have, that The Peking Peacocks would like to get rid of? When this virus dies down, no pun intended, what will the world wide death toll be? I doubt it will be like the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 that killed 50 million world wide. So let's say by this time next year, what will the memories of all this be, unless of course someone in your household died. When the DemoLIARS regain power again in the future they will probably be rushing over there and apologizing for the inconvenience we (The U.S.) caused China, and other nonsense like that. Welcome to the age of Germ Warfare, real and imagined.
ReplyDeleteLook at the book Milestones; A Chronology of American Women's History by Doris Weatherford. Indeed, Ray, the US plays some part of this. The US educated Chinese women.
DeleteI still think that the ruling elite in China are laughing and toasting each other about what fools the American Foreign Devil's are. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
ReplyDeleteGet ready people, because a future Chinese take out dish could include Corona noodles dipped in spicy Wuhan sauce.
ReplyDeleteHow about Corona Burgers with or without spicy Wuhan sauce? Okay, that's it, I'm turning in for the night.
ReplyDelete(lol and grin) no more "sauce" for you.
DeleteBest of all, Corona automobiles built entirely in The United States of America using all American materials. How about the Corona V8 Sedan? Travel across the states in comfort and spend the nights in a chain of deluxe Corona Motels.
ReplyDeleteI will NOT comply with wearing a mask, just another Cuomo overreach. That's all have to say, grin (Ray has pretty much summed all this up, lol).
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteYou will comply by wearing a mask just like the one worn by The Lone Ranger! Do you understand?
LOLOLOL. My son has that Guy Fawkes mask, so, yes, understood. LOL
DeleteDr. Waddy, Linda and Ray: Very heuristic dialogue! Delightfully provocative:
ReplyDelete"Mambo Italiano" I 've always liked that late 1940's early '50's "Music of your life" music and remember it vaguely from when I was very little. It often unskillfully celebrated rural life but it was really quite suburban in its outlook. And in my view, that was just fine; to so many of the Greatest Generation the suburbs were a dream come true and did they ever deserve it! But they were a demonstrably thoroughly patriotic generation , an essential part of the real America which is defined simply by its conviction that the U.S., though flawed, is NOT in need of by definition presumptuous, unproven and viciously dreamy leftist "fundamental transformation". And since Cuomo is emphatically and dictatorially of the " fundamental transformation "school, he probably sneers at such as "Mambo Italiano".
One of the cited articles enjoined state legislatures to be making the laws governing conduct during this pandemic. But what about our state, NY, where the legislature routinely gives this incipiently totalitarian Governor most everything he wants? There is where the President must step in. We of conservative views are now a demonstrably despised minority with no decision making power on statewide policy. In the '60's, when this obtained in Southern states, the Federal government stepped in, backed by military force. NY's profoundly undemocratic polity and government demands the same, Mr.President! And you will have much occasion to experience this, in all its leftist impudence, in the coming reaction to this pandemic from our attention seeking Governor. You've put him down once; do it again, do it as many times as required to drive home to him that we are American citizens and protected by the Constitution for which he has so much disdain EXCEPT:
In his present facile and profoundly hypocritical assertion of "state's rights", Gad how that must have excited his righteous loathing and dyspepsia!. It it is proof yet and ever more irrefutable that the left, for which Cuomo is a devoted soldier, is ever devoted to but one compound principle: "WHATEVER IT TAKES to
bring about the unquestioned total rule of the left according to our unassailable fiat and the complete disempowerment of democracy since it foolishly surrenders decision making power to the mob ( that dismissable faction which dares to doubt us)".
I think Jack, when the weather starts warming up, I think you will find more and more people here in our state will NOT comply. Right now, at least here in Steuben, its cold and it has been snowing, not many people out. I agree with your thought here, smiles.
DeleteDr. Waddy: Your doubts about the wearing of masks are very plausible, both in the present and in their citation of earlier inconsistencies. Oh, I wear one; I'm 73 and diabetic and I fear death but I still think your comments creditable in raising reasonable and constructive doubt and they are well documented too.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy: AOC vs Schumer: what a grotesque visage this presents to the rest of the country which must, except for California, confirm NY's incongruence with the real America or even that which inclines the way of the real America. A plague on the NY left but I say. Tactically, it would be best if AOC pulls off the upset. It would thankfully eliminate one of the most arrogant and disdainful of presumptuous regionalists in the Senate ever. And if it places AOC in sight of the Senate , which we must not assume - the GOP might raise a worthy contender - that is Tom Reed, who has demonstrated his skill in overpowering snooty feminist opponents by confronting them with real issues, from which they recoil, prefering to rely on their gender alone, she might lose. And if she wins, she will make as much of a fool of herself in the Senate as she has in the House. Save us, US, we in NY are commanded by leftist dreamers.
ReplyDeleteSPEAKING OF THE CHINESE BEARING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PANDEMIC I read up on the Smithfield Food Packing Company, and a plant of theirs located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It seems that South Dakota had a very low rate of Corona Virus, and all of a sudden there were 600 cases at the plant in Sioux Falls. Most workers there are from African and other "third world" countries.
ReplyDeleteSeems that back in 2103, our magnificent president B.O. authorized the Chinese to purchase the plant. The plant in Sioux Falls, as I understand it, processes pork, the bulk of which goes to China. Could it be that one of those Chinese supervisors who went back and forth might have infected some of the workers?
I'm just drawing some general conclusions here. Must have been some giant bucks floating around back in 2013 don't you think? I mean enough to go around, and around.
Always interesting that we have a system where foreign countries can buy up things here. Guess I need to read up on our laws regarding that, so I can get educated in a politically correct manner.
Wow, 27 comments! I think that might be a WaddyIsRight record! Maybe the secret is for me to shut up so the rest of you can have at it? Ha ha. Glad to do my part.
ReplyDeleteRay, it's an interesting aspect of this pandemic that urban dwellers and immigrants are especially hard hit. It's not surprising, though, given the realities of population density in urban areas and in the sort of hostels where such people live, even when they're farm workers or factory workers. And no, the virus isn't "racist". Nice try, lefties.
Jack, I firmly believe that our best chance to win the governorship or a Senate seat in NY is for the Dems to beat themselves. And AOC is the best hope of that!
Linda, I haven't worn a mask as yet, and I don't want to, but I suppose at some point I may have to bite the bullet. My guess is masks will become more mandatory as other restrictions start to wane. It's a trade off, and I guess it's progress of a sort...
I think you have touched a nerve, Dr. Waddy, grin. No...not going to comply. It just seems so un-American to me. I guess my husband will be bailing me out of jail, then. So authoritarian.
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