Shock & Awe: CBS Morning News Reporter Brushes Off COVID-19

The following was written while still deep in COVID. I held onto it, finally published it on March 20, 2020, in reviewing noticed some areas that needed expansion so today, August 14, 2023, going over my "work" I decided to review and add a few comments and then publish.

BEGINNING OF PREVIOUS WRITING ON SUBJECT:

Today I thought I was listening to three early morning commentators who were focused and understood the severity of the warnings and the guidelines for COVID-19 as I watched the CBS Morning News.

Behind the scenes, in "real" life, apparently it's "life as usual" for those who stand or sit before us and offer to tell us "what's best" and "how we should get through" this life challenge.

Anthony Mason actually shocked me this morning when a segment meant to show how some late teen/twenty somethings were on the beaches, at restaurants and bars and basically "laughing" in the face of this killer bug because they thought "It's not coming for me, so why should I care?" showed how he wasn't taking seriously the level of this world encompassing problem has been and continues to be.

IMPORTANT:  I know many people of all ages who do not act this way and they are to be commended for their mature approach to life as they will continue to be enabled and enable others. I applaud and support them; they are amazing.

My point about Anthony Mason, not sure about his age but he's listed as 63 -- old enough to know better but possibly believing he isn't "that old" the COVID-19 will come for him, recounted how his daughter  had told him recently he shouldn't be going to "the Gym" and Mr. Mason said, it's not closed yet so I can still go.

Could this be the exact type of "think" that has grown and developed COVID-19 to the level we're at and climbing so high we're considering using Cruise Ships and Major Hotels as "hospitals" or places for people: 

What I want, what I need, what's best "for me"? Can we not think rationally and realistically without "someone" making rules we have to obey rather than knowing when we should be capable of thinking rationally and realistically about our actions and behaviours effect on others?

Mr. Mason, you're reacting like one of those on the beach. It's something you want to do and since there's no one taking an action to stop you from doing it, what's the harm .... to you.

And, I do understand the financial effect as this is one of several life challenges 

That's the point, Mr. Mason, we're being told "we're all in this together" but the reality is some of "us" are still believing "we" are above and beyond and can do what we chose at least until someone forces us into "complying".

Where have ALL the flowers gone....When will we learn, when will we ever learn -- to quote a popular song from the 60's. Read and listen carefully -- not one type, not one age, ALL. 

Like a "bee", you're moving from flower to flower "polinating" from what's in/on your body and you don't even notice it because you believe IF I DON'T SHOW SIGNS, IF I FEEL ALL RIGHT, there is no problem for you or for anyone else.

COVID-19 is like other types of serious diseases -- mumps, measles, chicken pox and more serious types -- some people can be carriers and not affected. Innoculations are critical and so is using common sense to realize we can't always know when we become infected, how it happened, if we're even a carrier.

Almost all of the people who "survived" the last epidemics that were highly dangerous are no longer with us even though they made it through WWI, WWII, The Great Depression, The Gold Crisis, SARS and so much more. 

They left records, wrote journals, passed down oral history -- take time to read or listen to their stories of depression, oppression and survival through caring for and about others.

Yes, Some listen. Some understand. Some try to educate.

In today's "tech world", where so many voices are raised all at the same time, perhaps it's just gotten too  challenging to sift through the "noise" to get to what's important.

It isn't "all about me", it's "all about we" -- turn that  one letter upside down and it's world changing.

See the reality of everyday and every way you and I are dependent on others, dependent on what they do, dependent on how so many must take jobs others would not consider -- from trash to those who maintain our buildings and our homes and beyond.

They need our recognition. 
Now and in the future we're trying to ensure.

What we forget, Anthony, are lessons we may need to be taught again. 

Why this world event? Why now?   Why Not.

Reach for the Stars, Anthony, reach out and encourage each person to find at least one other person they can add to their "family" of mankind through assisting and encouraging.

Go to your shelves and closets of what you believe you'll need and find a person or family you can help. 

When we sacrifice we understand what those who went before us actually did. 

For some this means finding a resource for this person because -- they don't know anyone; not in their "circle of life".

That's the real challenge, Anthony.

Many of us have circles that are closed and exclusive when we aren't reaching out to find ways and people who really need help -- the overlooked, the overworked and the over challenged -- just to survive another day, week or month.

Giving when we have is easy. 

Giving from what we may need but choose to share is character that has been missing or mislaid for a very long time in many ways by many people.

You have the ear and the eye of the public, Anthony.

Remember they're listening. They're learning. 
And, many will do as you do.

Continuum of Care or Continuum of Income for Owners?

I received one of many requests to contribute to an organization most people over the age of 50 know the "parent" organization, AARP. This is a "separate" entity from AARP and so it has the legal responsibility to file for public review of its annual tax reports to remain a 501C3.

I'm sure you're on many email lists also and see appeals from many sources. 

What do you do? 

If you recognize the name, believe they're "legit" and support their "cause" do you send some money their way?  

Apparently many have because in 2019 they were able to pay their lead person, a salary of well over a million dollars which financially is acceptable and reasonable .  but if all they're doing is "advocating" and not directly providing "in home" services including transportation, food, assistance with tax payments, utilities and other ever increasing and "pushing" all but the very well employed or those with extensive "retirement" funds -- out to "greener pastures" -- meaning living in a "communal" environment...well, you be the judge.

What are they actually doing to directly GIVE to the individuals they "represent"?

Take their latest survey, the "cause" for the email solicitation which asked the question:

How many adults over the age of 65 want to stay in their home as long as they can?

Easy for me; how about you?  90% -- the highest percentage answer --- CORRECT!

Alternative choices now include "upscale" living experiences complete with a $500 to $5000 (or more) "deposit" to hold a place, to "socialize" with others who have made this decision to "climb on board" and live together -- month to month, independent living, no details of anything other than the drawings, advertising and marketing pictures and verbal bravado available.

Come for dinner, pay a fee, join a "club" where membership is only limited by the number of people they can gather together to agree to "join". It wasn't clear if or how much of any "remainder" could be refunded if after one or two "events" someone decided it wasn't what they expected or wanted.

WHY IS IT THESE PEOPLE BELIEVE we Seniors want to be continuously entertained, joined together at the hip with people we barely know, live together in  "community" in a High Rise development and make this our "forever home" for who knows how long?

It's no longer "Long Term Care' -- it's CONTINUUM OF CARE with bells and whistles you have to see to believe. It's "country club living" -- at least on the outside looking in. It's a "closed club" dependent on those with significant savings/income to afford this "special treatment"

TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THAT CONTRACT YOU'LL SIGN -- and better have a lawyer on retainer because many have "clauses" allowing financial adjustments or are very "open ended" -- the words are so general they can usually do or take action in almost any way.

.....  and realize you GIVE UP EVERYTHING YOU HAVE because the cost of entry is the major asset, for most people, their home.

Why is it many people, especially those in their 40's an 50's are so determined to "push" those 65 and older into "Special Older Care Facilities"?

Abuse/Neglect In The Health Care System and Everyday Living

 Three reports on CBS News this morning showed how systems and people abuse and neglect our country's aging population.

One report centered on breast exams for women over the age of 40. If you're reading this and you're in that age group you don't see yourself as "aging" but you are.

With the pandemic, limited access and medical care available not just today but everyday for many in the United States with low incomes or live in rural areas, your days are numbered lower than those with the ways and means and that includes deep pockets to pay for the ever more discriminating and discerning medical insurance and costs to receive medical care.

Through defining and redefining and categorizing, health insurance has been reducing the amount and level of care.

Most Health Care for those on Medicare comes with a high deductible and it doesn't matter if you're healthy, have no preexisting conditions or whatever -- you're lumped together with the composite of the group and you'll pay the higher rate based on your age and many other factors.

Medical Care in the US may seem to be far advanced but if COVID taught us anything, the lesson was how our system drags its feet and often takes decades to move beyond testing to trial and then to general distribution -- that's for life practices but they seem to get drugs, some proven to be threatening and addictive, out faster than they do acknowledging how life changes and active involvement stimulating brain function at whatever level keeps us functioning and far healthier than pill poping.

Health and wellness can create a better continuum of care than any facility.

Listening, learning and activity that develops and feeds interests is far more important than shelving human beings together without enough assistance, communication from outside the walls and limited activities and interests.