–Now that 2020 is in the history books, it certainly isn’t difficult to look back and consider all of the things that made it one of the most miserable years in history. Heading the list of course is COVID-19, which invaded us full force in March and hasn’t let up since. Unfortunately the horror didn’t just disappear at the stroke of midnight on December 31. At this writing, the stats continue to be unimaginable with 83,476,802 cases worldwide and 1,819,871 total deaths. The United States alone has 20,260,964 cases and a startling 351,697 total deaths, but the good news (We sure as hell need some!) is that the scientists have developed several vaccines that are now being administered, and the hope is that we may ultimately get a handle on this abhorrent disease, which has turned the world upside down. My major problem with the whole thing has been attempting to understand why people will not follow the recommendations of the medical world. Almost from the beginning of this pandemic, we have been told to wear masks, avoid large groups, practice social distancing, wash our hands often, and avoid touching our faces. And many people defiantly refuse to do what is asked of them. Why? Incredibly some still believe that the whole thing is a hoax, and others say that they simply “don’t believe in wearing masks.” Go figure! Of course our fearless leader didn’t set a very favorable example by blatantly eschewing a mask and holding large, mask-less rallies, which predictably helped spread the virus. Talk about leadership! How did we get so lucky? Nevertheless, barring some unforeseen obstacle, President-elect Joe Biden will become president Joe Biden at noon on Jan. 20. Let’s hope he can restore to the office the respect that it deserves. Before that can happen, however, the Electoral College vote must be confirmed at a joint session of Congress on Wednesday. Normally this is basically a formality, but notice the word “normally.” This has been anything but a normal year, and the word is that a number of Trump supporters are going to disrupt the Electoral College vote confirmation. And the circus in D.C. continues! “PEANUTS! POPCORN! HOT DOGS! ICE COLD BEER HERE!” After this show is over, on Jan. 20 we may have to witness Trump’s being forcefully removed from the White House, where he had chained himself to a bedpost in the Lincoln bedroom. Good luck, President Biden!
–With the passing of each year come the nominations for Time magazine’s man or woman of the year, and the winners this year justifiably were Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Although they were inarguably the right choice, I have a nomination for runner-up, and if it hadn’t been a presidential election year, I hope we would have seen on the cover of Time the picture of Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Now here is a guy who really cares about people, and his sincerity was on display every time he appeared on television as he tirelessly implored the American people to follow the guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately too many people ignored his advice, but that didn’t deter him from issuing his mantra whenever he had the chance: “Wear a mask. Practice social distancing. Avoid large groups. Wash your hands often. And avoid touching your face.” As the months rolled by and the infections and deaths continued increasing toward unspeakable totals, Fauci was indefatigable in issuing his warning again and again. Perhaps I imagined it, but each time I saw him, I thought I could see the toll the pandemic was taking on him, and yet he persevered. Fauci definitely is a class act, and if it weren’t for the presidential election, he would have been a deserving choice for person of the year. Perhaps we should put an asterisk beside his name.
–So now let’s take a look at some of the things we can hope to see in 2021.
- First and foremost of course is a swift end to the pandemic that has wreaked havoc on the world for long enough.
- Some well-earned rest and relaxation for all of the doctors and healthcare professionals who have devoted myriad hours to caring for patients in hospitals and nursing homes.
- The reopening of businesses worldwide.
- A return to normalcy for all school children, whose educations have been seriously disrupted.
- The chance to hug our children and grandchildren again.
- A decrease in civil unrest.
- A president who has a sincere interest in the betterment of the country and the welfare of the American people.
- A country in which the elected officials put the good of the people ahead of their own egos.
- Some desperately needed relief for the people who have suffered financially because of the pandemic.
- The ability to travel without the fear of contracting a dread disease.
- A return to normalcy for the world of art and entertainment.
- A reduction in unemployment.
- Welcome to 2021!
—Ponder This: Why do people pay to go up in tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
~ Bert Christensen
