chapter 554

April 27, 2020

Baby Steps

light at end of tunnel

A picture should tell a story.

I do have to say, however, that this is at the Shaker Place adult care and nursing facility where visitors are not allowed inside due to the NY Governor's emergency orders on covid. This local facility has suffered from the impact of covid-19 with close to 50 staff and residents testing positive with at least 3 deaths so far. 

To crack the window open slightly is just one of the cautious steps toward opening the valve of social contact that are beginning to happen now. Colleen has given much care to Cristel over many years not as a nurse per se but as a life long friend. With NY past peak at half maximum death count we creep toward the notion of not remaining sealed in a bubble forever.

Caution is the word to cope with this insidious invisible virus that sneaks around and spreads so readily without showing outward manifestations until it is too late. It will always be around and will become part of our dna to some extent.

I've always liked a good protest. It's a generational thing. Grew up with the Vietnam War protests all around me in college. Expression of various alternative thoughts is a good thing and it's through consideration of opposing points of view that you can come to understanding. I took brother Bill on the street virtual thru zoom and FB thru my smart phone. Surely some viruses were in the air and will pass through a scarf. There are billions of them everywhere. But I learned at my life's work that the solution to pollution is dilution. The concentration of bad particles is the the key to their effect. Plenty of open air (sun&UV) and a strong wind is your friend. Most covid cases originate in the home setting from friends and family members.

Last week I went to the ReOpen New York State rally at the Capital spawned by a Facebook Group. Primarily it was a nice opportunity to get out of the house and to witness any sort of a covid associated event that motivated me. These are historic times and I want to learn from it. This worldwide pandemic certainly feels like one of the more important events of our lifetimes, right in there with Vietnam and 911. 

It was a small protest of merely hundreds but it represented the feelings of many Americans who want to and need to get back to work. Behind me was a vocal somewhat radical angry guy with megaphone spewing some thoughts that I didn't consider factual. Nevertheless, many more had more moderate views that cannot be denied. 

To open or not to open that is the question. For me personally it really makes no difference. For the tired poor huddle masses in NYC yearning to breathe free it is of utmost importance. For the average American worker there are pros and cons. Oh yes, it is a conundrum. 

On a happier note but related, I took a few shots of the Capital during a weather window motorcycle day. The Capital is quite deserted during the weekends. Ghost town like for the most part. A lonely pair of skateboarders pass by as I shot this panorama. During mid week at the protest I was surprised by all the cars parked in the city. I had to park way down on Broadway about 5 blocks away. And it wasn't because of the protest crowd, there just seems to be a lot of people still working there even though at reduced capacity.

The cherry blossoms were out this week in the oldest Historic District in New York State, Schenectady's 1661 Stockade District. What intrigues me most is not the cherry trees but the history of the 1690 Indian attack and massacre, but people don't like to talk much about it. PC police thrive when freedom of expression is squelched.

Stocked up Collen's firewood supply from nearby Lindseys Farm. Never can tell if all the electric power facilities become too sick and shut down in the pandemic. Oh there could be chaos and calamity if... who remembers the Black Death Plague?

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