Any mom, any town, USA. I am your neighbor/co-worker/PTO member/non-traditional grad school candidate/aspiring chef/stoner mom.

Stop saying 'Post-Pandemic'.

December 2, 2021

Dear (Anytown, USA) School District Parent:

We are writing to inform you of the following positive COVID-19 results:

The School District continues to work closely with the (Anytown, USA) County Health Department. Close contacts have been identified and informed.

If you experience symptoms, please stay home, consult with a medical provider, and get tested.

Best,

((Any name, his/him/her/hers))

Superintendent (Anytown, USA) School District

Yet another e-mail from my daughter’s school district – and that was just today. As I haven’t deleted a single COVID-positive-student e-mail since the school year started (I am keeping track, believe me), this is just another. After a long line of many. I’m sick of seeing them – not because I’m “over it”, I’m over the “over it”.

Opinion: for fuck’s sake, stop saying ‘post-pandemic’. For much of America (the world, really), this is FAR from over. I don’t live in a COVID-positive hot spot (although, it was in August). Yet, I’m starting to notice something in my tiny corner of the world – you got it, an uptick in local, positive COVID cases. It may be slight, but it is most definitely there. Guess what – once again, we dropped the fucking ball. Because, we just don’t want to learn. Despite the numerous experts telling us otherwise (Fauci, who?).

My roots are deeply vested in science. Please, do not try to convince me otherwise, and I promise I will respect your individual beliefs (in return). I’ve never been particularly religious, and it’s my prerogative. However, my deep roots are why I can speak to biomedical science all day (new methods of cancer diagnostics, stem cell therapy, etc.). It’s another reason I’m fascinated by cannabis (and the endocannabinoid system). Science tells us what we need to know – not something most people have warmed up to (conceptually). We like to be placated – told what we’d like to hear, instead. Human nature is such – and, we’re only getting worse. Instant fucking gratification. Lab rats have served to confirm this.

So, now what (a’hem, rhetorical question). Well, perhaps we come to a collective conclusion to 1) agree to disagree, 2) focus on actually getting a trickle-down vaccination effect, and/or 3) decide that truly ending this pandemic is going to be a vested, group effort (remember Kindergarten – I sure AF do). Perhaps, we can quit making this into a political/religious battle (there’s time for that down the road).

As much as people may not want to hear this, I’m going to be 100 percent transparent – this virus is only getting smarter…and, stronger…and, more contagious. Which means that a deadly virus is getting deadlier. By comparison to the Spanish Flu Pandemic (statistically), we’re way worse off. Considering that was over 100 years ago, it doesn’t speak much to progression. In theory – we should be smarter. Instead, we’re more entitled, arrogant, and stupid.

As I said in a previous post – there is a significant level of pandemic fatigue happening. I get it. I’m sympathetic to it. However, it’s only going to continue if we don’t stop. Trust me on that.

My solution is simple: be aware of the information being provided to you, and consider your source. Circulation of misinformation is common. Honestly, I blame (most) social media platforms for only perpetuating that vicious cycle. Unfortunately, Instagram isn’t your best/most reliable place for information. Chances are, the CDC is.

How do pandemics end? Well, the viruses don’t go away (the Spanish flu virus, and modern H1N1 still circulate in the environment). What happens is that the viruses causing these pandemics change. More on point, we do. Eventually, humans and viruses reach an immunological homeostasis, of sorts. Through years of exposure and vaccine “layering” our immune systems advance, and these things become far less threatening (if at all).

I acknowledge that there may not be a single, one-size-fits all solution to this. People are entitled to their opinions and rights. However, allow me to propose this one thing: let’s be a bit more patient with the scientific process. Instead of fighting the very things that may save us, let’s consider giving them a try. They do work, given consistency and time.

Have you not been reading my posts?!?! There are some amazing cannabis products and live-stream TV happening. Trust me, this too shall pass. You can find enjoyable ways to pass your time – I will bribe you with the best strains of cannabis, if need be. Or, tickets to a remote island (if you insist).

~SM