I Didn’t Sign Up For This
A Covid-19 Blog entry
Chapter 7
Who Was That Masked Man?
The Lone Ranger is going to be one of those iconic characters that never rides off into the sunset. We need heroes like him – an underdog who fights the good fight, doesn’t kill, and has some serious mojo when the chips are down.
Mel Odom – American Writer
When I was a child, I loved the show, The Lone Ranger. created by Francis Hamilton “Fran” Striker, and George W. Trendle.
The Lone Ranger, a fictional masked former Texas Ranger, fought outlaws and upheld justice in the American Old West with his Native American friend, Tonto. The Lone Ranger’s identity remained a mystery. He always wore a mask.
People would comment as he rode away, “Who was that masked man?”
We sure could use a hero to ride in and save the day right now. Or the country. Or the planet.
Thinking about the latest evidence emerging, about the benefit of wearing masks, made me think of my old masked hero. Okay, I know his mask only covered his eyes, but give me some leeway and I’ll explain why I feel there’s a connection.
If you ever watched the show, you might recall the Lone Ranger followed a strict moral code in every episode and in all his interactions with others.
This code was set out at the beginning of the series by Fran Striker, and read as follows.
I believe that to have a friend,
a man must be one.
That all men are created equal
and that everyone has within himself
the power to make this a better world.
That God put the firewood there
but that every man
must gather and light it himself.
In being prepared
physically, mentally, and morally
to fight when necessary
for what is right.
That a man should make the most
of what equipment he has.
That ‘this government,
of the people, by the people
and for the people’
shall live always.
That men should live by
the rule of what is best
for the greatest number.
That sooner or later…
somewhere…somehow…
we must settle with the world
and make payment for what we have taken.
That all things change but truth,
and that truth alone, lives on forever.
In my Creator, my country, my fellow man.
It amazes me how much of that creed applies to what we are facing right now. Take a look.
“That sooner or later…
somewhere…somehow…
we must settle with the world
and make payment for what we have taken.”
Here we are sixty-something years later, facing a global pandemic from an invisible enemy. Invisible to most of us, that is, unless you own an electron microscope. We have become so self-assured, so complacent of our ability to travel the world and exploit its resources. And now a tiny virus, a piece of R.N.A. is decimating our population and destroying life as we knew it.
The official name of this virus is “Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 – (SARS-CoV-2).”
It is this SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the disease COVID-19.
It’s time to leave our differences behind us. To date, this virus has killed 33,562 human beings all over the planet.
The estimates are that it will eventually take the lives of between 100,000 and 200,000 people. That’s the best-case scenario, not the worst.
We are all human beings. We need to learn to work together now. This will not be the last virus to wage war on us, but if we learn our lessons, next time doesn’t have to result in such global devastation.
“That a man should make the most
of what equipment he has.”
We already know this virus spreads by droplet transmission and by surface contact.
What we are now discovering is that the countries where people wear masks, the disease is not spreading as fast. This is crucial. Time saves lives. Countries like South Korea have been able to successfully “flatten the curve” because their medical personnel and hospitals are not being overwhelmed. There is time to treat and cure the first wave of patients before the next wave comes in.
Equipment, or rather lack of it, has become a huge issue in this country, and others. We have the resources and abilities to produce more equipment quickly, but that takes organisation, and we have been sadly lacking in that department.
“That God put the firewood there
but that every man
must gather and light it himself.”
Masks are saving lives in South Korea. I’d like to see them start saving lives here, too.
If you can’t buy a box of masks, you can make one. If you sew, I’m sure you’re already way ahead of me, thinking about ways you could create masks. But if you don’t, how about getting some soft paper towels and two rubber bands?
The consensus is “Any mask (barrier) is better than no barrier.”
It’s not a cure-all or even a guarantee. But it may be the difference between you contracting Covid-19 and not contracting it.
“In being prepared
physically, mentally, and morally
to fight when necessary
for what is right.”
Are we really going to lay down and take this? Bury our heads in the sand? Whine about how inconvenient, boring and annoying it is having to socially isolate?
We can beat this disease, but we have to help each other, and we have to fight.
We all need to arm ourselves with the following weapons:
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Staying home (or if you can’t stay home, only going out for essential reasons) will help slow or prevent the spread of this virus.
HAND WASHING
Washing your hands with soap for at least twenty seconds every time you have touched other surfaces and BEFORE you touch your face.
SANITIZING
Sanitizing surfaces you touch frequently, such as door handles and counters.
HOT DRINKS
Drinking hot drinks regularly and avoiding iced drinks. More and more information coming out about how this helps to wash that little monster out of your throat and into your stomach, where stomach acid saves the day.
MASKS
Wear a mask when you are in contact with others to protect them and you. Avoid touching your face if you can.
“That all men are created equal
and that everyone has within himself
the power to make this a better world.”
This virus does not care if you are American, Australian, Chinese, Korean, Swiss, African, or any nationality in any of the 199 countries and territories it has penetrated.This is not a Chinese virus. It is not an American virus. It has morphed itself into a human virus.
If we ever needed a wake-up call to remind us that no matter which part of terra Earth we live on, we are all human beings, it’s right now.
“I believe that to have a friend,
a man must be one.”
Me too. It’s our turn to be a friend to all humanity. The stakes have never been higher.
Spread the word of what is working to combat this tiny enemy we all face.
We can all save lives if we follow the guidelines the experts and scientists are sharing with us every day.
You too can be a hero.
If you wash your hands, wear a mask or stay safe at home, you might not transfer the virus to another person. Because that person doesn’t catch it, they don’t spread it to three more people. Those three people don’t spread it to their families and friends.
The snowball effect is staggering.
See how many lives you’ve saved already without even knowing it?
Don’t be surprised if someone whispers behind your back, “Who was that masked hero?”
I just did.
Julu's World 