A Sad State of Affairs by Butch Ford

By now, we’ve all been affected by COVID-19 in one way or another. We are hearing about it on our televisions, reading about it on various media platforms, or experiencing a personal loss. Whatever the story…it has impacted our daily lives. And life as we know it may never be the same.

There are hundreds of rumors circulating about the virus. And conspiracy theorists are running amok with their countless, unsubstantiated theories of the scientific, logic-based, and political variety. When in actuality, nobody seems to know very much about what we’re facing with the coronavirus.  Several states have implemented a stay-at-home order for businesses and employees that are considered non-essential. Citizens have also been instructed to utilize social distancing for safety and the containment of the virus.

Sadly, a specific demographic doesn’t appear to be following the safety guidelines that were put in place, prompting law enforcement to change the rules on the fly aggressively. Citations totaling upwards of $500 are being issued, and arrests are being made. I’ve seen several disturbing videos of African Americans congregating in large groups…drinking, partying, and not taking the crisis seriously. They can be overheard dismissing the pandemic altogether and cursing the rules and those attempting to enforce them.

There should be just one goal in mind…that’s survival and self-preservation. But why is it so hard for US to do the right thing? Why can’t WE simply stick together? It’s frustrating and often embarrassing to watch the younger generations self destruct. Where did we go wrong? What could we have done differently? Is it too late to turn things around? These are all valid questions. We’re losing so many people to this devastating virus. And nothing’s going to change if we don’t follow the blueprint for safety that’s been laid out. We need help. But it starts with ourselves.

Butch Ford