The End Game

 Friends - this is NOT a political post and I won't debate but the below is one a friend of mind posted and I really resonate with it. Lots to think and pray about but ultimately, I choose to LIVE!

Thanks for posting this Hannah Robertson Pankratz

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What is the end game with the ‘rona? Anyone?

What is the magic formula that is going to allow us to sound the “all clear?” Is it zero cases? That will happen at the same time there are no cases of the common cold or flu so don't hold your breath for that one. Zero deaths? We've had around five/day here in MN lately-plenty of room in the hospitals but that seems to matter not. For a while, the goal was to simply “flatten the curve,” but now that we are disconnecting utilities for gatherings in California, setting up check points in New York, and recommending goggles (what’s next?), it seems as if there is, in fact, no end game. And, truthfully, the only way that we will see numbers drop is if we cease testing and stop reporting.

Is it a vaccine? It took 25 years for a chicken pox vaccine to be developed. The smallpox inoculation was discovered in 1776 and the last known natural case was in 1977. We have a flu vaccine that is only 40 to 60% effective (that’s generous- the last two years it was more like 20-25%), less than half of the US population chooses to get one, and roughly 20,000 Americans still die annually due to flu or flu complications.

Oh, you'll mandate it in order to attend school, travel to some foreign countries, etc.? We already have a growing number of vaccine researchers refusing proven, tested, well-known vaccines that have been administered for decades! Do you really believe the majority of people will flock to get a fast-tracked vaccine, whose long-term side effects and overall efficacy rates are anyone's best guess? How long are we going to cancel, postpone life?

Now our children's education is to be affected for yet another school year? What if there are still cases next summer (which there will be) Then what?

Move football to spring? What if next March is worse than this March?

When do we decide quality of life outweighs risk?

We understand this virus can be deadly for SOME, but so are shellfish, peanut butter, and bee stings. We take risks every day without a second thought.

We know driving a car can be dangerous, but we don't leave it parked in the garage for months on end. We could lower the speed limit to 35 on the freeways-that would undoubtedly save lives. But as a society we've decided that not something we will sacrifice. We know the dangers of smoking, drinking, and eating fried foods, but we do it, none-the-less. We could outlaw all of these things, but again, as a society those freedoms we're not willing to sacrifice. But we will put masks on our beautiful children without a second thought affecting their basic ability to breathe? How did we get here? We speed on highways, some idiots still don't buckle their seatbelts, we take medications more than “as directed,” and a good number of individuals don't think twice about unprotected sex. In four short months look what we've given up.

Is hugging Grandma really more dangerous than rush hour on the freeway? Is going to a bar with friends more risky than four day old gas station sushi? Or operating a chainsaw?

When and how did we so quickly lose our free will?

I want a waiver that says, "I understand the risks, but I choose a life with hugs, smiles, college athletics, the state fair, concerts, and school dances."

I understand that there is a minuscule possibility I could die but, more probable, I will end up feeling like junk for a few days. Lots of things make you feel like junk for a couple days.

I understand I could possibly pass this virus onto someone else, but I can pass ANY virus onto someone else at any time until the end of time. Let's focus our efforts on protecting the most vulnerable.

To quote one of my favorite movies:

"I guess it comes down to a simple choice, really. Get busy living or get busy dying"

-Andy Dufrane, Shawshank Redemption.

Are we busy living or busy dying?

It’s hard to tell these days. I choose to LIVE life.