The country is in a state of panic. Mass hysteria. And I feel nothing. Do I worry about loved ones? Sure. But am I at all worried about myself? Not the least bit. I’ve lived through this. The fear, the need for quarantine, the worry I could pass something, anything along to my immunocompromised child. The worst for me has happened. This doesn’t phase me one bit. Other than the fact I’m wondering if there will be anything left at Trader Joe’s tomorrow when we do our weekly shopping.
This is serious. Of course it is. But yet people seemed to have lost their perspective. They seem to be more upset about what they are missing, or what their child is missing, rather than why they are missing these things. I completely understand the disappointment. I understand children, high school seniors, college athletes, being devastated about missing experiences and events. What I don’t understand is the complaining about it from the adults. Pain and disappointment are a part of life. This is temporary. Instead of complaining about how awful it is (not that people are dying mind you, but that your plans were cancelled), be grateful that this too shall pass. Be disappointed. Be sad. But stop fucking complaining about it all over the place. There are much worse things, like people actually dying from COVID-19.
I have pretty much given up Facebook (on the personal side, I of course still keep Ariella’s page going). Yesterday I made the mistake of going on. I went on to check if the schools had done anything because it is often on Facebook before emails are sent to staff. And what I found fascinating was not the number of complaint posts (and there were many) but who seems to be panicking and complaining. The cancer families I follow, the ones who should be panicking the most, who should be upset about more quarantines and isolation, are the ones who seem to be taking it in stride. Because this is their lives. They live this daily, virus or not. What I saw from them is the same thing I am feeling. Anger. Anger that this has been declared a crisis leading to immediate funds for vaccine and treatment development. Not denying that this is a crisis. But so is childhood cancer. And yet it is not taken seriously. There is no outrage. There are very limited funds to develop treatments. If the response to childhood cancer was similar to the response to the coronavirus, maybe just maybe there would be better treatments rather than decades old toxic chemo. What’s the difference? The difference is that coronavirus reaches everyone. Childhood cancer affects children and is “rare”. Yet more kids have died from cancer. So I’m not worried or panicked but I am furious. I am furious that childhood cancer does not get the attention it deserves because it doesn’t affect as many people.
I am also outraged over the behavior of many. Cleaning out stores. Stealing equipment that health care providers and the immunocompromised people actually need on a daily basis, not just in light of the virus. Hoarding supplies. There are still a lot of unknowns but it seems to me that most of us will be okay after a little inconvenience. And that inconvenience is necessary to protect those that may not be okay if they contract the virus. Acting selfishly, worrying only about yourself, is disgusting in these times. I read somewhere that people were having trouble finding baby formula. That is scary. If people would be reasonable. Buy items in a reasonable manner rather than clear the shelves. Then everyone would be able to get what they need.
I say I’m not worried. I’m not. But I understand it. If Ariella was here, I would be scared for her health. So I understand worrying about loved ones. But I just don’t get this mass hysteria. That scares me much more than the virus.
So true people have gone nuts over something that will eventually end, unfortunately as you well know, people with cancer never know if the end will be cancer is cured, gone , or the end of your life. More ,ones should be spend on finding a cure!
Amen
XO
Your words ring so true. It’s frustrating to ‘see’ the complaining about things that are, in the long run, trivial.
And it’s not that I don’t understand the frustration or disappointment. In another life I would have been frustrated and disappointed too. And disappointed for my daughter, which I was plenty because she missed out on a hell of a lot. But not enough to whine and complain about it. You accept it and move on.
I’m heart broken over the loss of Ariella. It’s so unfair. From the time I was a small child, we contributed to Cancer Funds. In the 96 years my parents were alive, dont you think a cure could have been discovered by all the research.
I know you are not on FB but how I wish you would copy and paste this recent article. I live in Florida..yesterday I witnessed a very elderly lady with her Aide, crying hysterically due to lack of Bathroom tissue. Yet I also witnessed , as I shopped, younger shoppers with two of the 12 pk. Double roll in their carts shaking their heads due to empty shelves. They too witnessed the crying of this woman. One of The hoarding shoppers could have given a pack to this lady. So I relate to your article of the selfishness of people. The disappointment and loud complaining of no Sports on TV or cancelling a trip. I also think of the people that are ill but staying in their homes for fear.of getting this virus.
I’ve never met you, you have never heard of me, but through a relative of yours I knew you, Ariella and David, so through FB I followed you. Now It seems every time I walk into a store or actually thinking of you and your daughter, I hear the FIGHT song. This was played at her service. Yes, your loving daughter put up one damn fight. She had horrible days and nights but please remember, she was the greatest Fighter.
Can I please share this? Names will not be mentioned.
Yes, absolutely. Please do. Thank you.
I agree with the original post and all of the comments. This mass hysteria and panic is ridiculous and hurts all of us, but especially the people who truly need the supplies. This is the land of plenty and there is more than enough to go around if we all just take a minute and think. Hospitals, nursing homes, healthcare workers, and the truly ill should not have to worry about face masks, sanitizer, and the basics. Those are the ones who will suffer during this outbreak. The ill and hospitalized will be afraid and isolated due to restrictions on visits and lack of supplies. We don’t need to contribute to this! The greediness is heartbreaking and makes me angry. And while everyone is complaining and hoarding, think of the parents who now are facing financial problems because they need day care and/or will lose income due to public school closings.
And, if this nation and the world for that matter, have the money to fund all of the programs that have now been implemented for this virus, we should certainly be able to fund research on children’s cancer so the so-called “treatments” are effective and don’t come with long-term health problems. I mean what the hell does forgiving interest on student loans (one part of the funding) have to do with this “crisis”? That would pay for significant research dollars. I get tired of seeing government money just thrown away when things like this happen – and not that some of it isn’t needed, because it is, just so much else is pure waste.