I was standing at my kitchen window early Wednesday morning and noticed how much bluer the sky looked. That was before I realized that it was Earth Day and heard reports on the morning news that the air quality in Los Angeles had gone from among the worst in the world to among the best. The reason was that we were not driving as much. So true. The last time I filled up my tank was February 26, 2020 and I still have half a tank remaining. COVID-19 has uncovered a lot about our lifestyles that if taken to heart could propel us toward a whole new America.
It has become apparent that fewer people on the road everyday improves our air quality and thereby also improves our health. Many of us have learned that we can do much if not all of our jobs from home. Perhaps a new normal after we get through this crisis will be a change in the expectation that everyone has to show up at the office everyday. I could easily see myself working from home three of the five days each week, saving gas, freeing up parking spaces, reducing traffic, and contributing to cleaner air and reduced carbon emissions.
Another issue COVID-19 has brought to light is the lunacy of our employer-based healthcare system. As people lose their jobs, we see that they are also losing their health insurance and therefore their access to healthcare. I heard the heartbreaking stories of people losing their jobs and with it losing their employer-based healthcare and now having to choose between lifesaving medications and food for their families. This system is obviously broken and not serving us well. We need to get to Medicare for all immediately. Perhaps employers can take those funds they currently pay in health benefits and contribute towards a combination of raises for employees to cover their new premiums and to the Medicare system directly.
And then there is the need for greater internet bandwidth throughout the country and in my own neighborhood in particular. It became a reality for me these past few weeks as the internet became slower, unstable, and even crashed throughout the day on Friday. It was a frustration that made Zoom meetings difficult and access to shared work networks impossible. It took up to 10 minutes to log into some websites I use only for the connection to be lost over and over again. We have the need and opportunity to improve here.
And finally, this pandemic has revealed the absolute incompetency and dangerous behaviors of president Trump. Thankfully, his polls are finally falling as his supporters and those who never paid attention see him out there not only lying about his administration’s slow response and his suggestion of ridiculous remedies like drinking or injecting disinfectant directly into the human body. November might finally rid us of Donald Trump.
COVID-19 is showing us where change is not only possible, but necessary and even desirable. We could and should have a whole new America if we are smart.
If YOU ran for office, you would have my vote! Your clear, concise & valid observations are a refreshing lift to my spirits. Like you point out, more people are seeing Mr. Trump for what he IS, and IS NOT. It is ironic that he’s “thinning the herd” in his own base voters. Is it time for him to be looked at from the point of personal mental sanity? We have enough problems without his asking, “What have you got to lose?” as if a Game Show Fortune was at stake. Staying safe in AZ. Gov. Cuomo is the Presser I listen to, always. WH aides are looking to stop the briefings before Trump’s pronouncements can do any more harm. One can hope. Stay safe & well. Thank you.