12.7.20

American conundrum

Reading the news from afar, I must admit, all of us outside the US are just plain confused. While countries around the world are adopting simple, protective measures the US is stuck in a pattern of closing its eyes and wishing away the virus like a petulant child refusing to come home from the playground.

It is puzzling that the voice of reason, logic and science has not been able to win out over selfishness and ignorance. Perhaps that is not a surprise to history experts. Although there is an extreme lack of unified leadership, I had expected that grown adults would inform themselves and take appropriate measures, regardless of the errors of the government. I am amazed at how uninformed citizens remain. I cannot imagine that there is anyone left who still believes the virus is a hoax, and yet, there are. 

From my completely amateur observation,  it seems the US has become complacent with it's wealth and ease of living over the years. Because so many have assumed they have freedom and entitlement, they forgot to remain vigilant and aware. What were those freedoms again? How were they won? And what were they safeguarding against? Citizenship comes with responsibilities as well as rights. 

Often, the US appears as an island to me, not because it meets the geographical definition of island, which it technically doesn't, but because so many of its citizens isolate themselves from knowledge of or interactions with other nations. Believing they are on top has led to a sense that other countries are not important or relevant. The concept of international exchange and global dependence seems to have passed many Americans by. 

I wonder about the role of the states, which at this point, seem to be functioning like tiny countries, independent and apart from each other and the national government. The United States have become anything but, in which case it seems a bit unfair to be comparing them to European countries. 

Here in Nigeria, where numbers are also rising, people wear masks (not everyone and not always the correct way) there are temperature checks and hand sanitizers or portable sinks in place outside of every store. It's possible to do these simple things while more information is being gathered on the true nature of the virus. 

For me, that is the most astounding aspect of all. There does not seem to be acknowledgement that this virus is new and therefore we know nothing about how it really spreads, how it really affects the human body and who is really at the most risk. In the face of a completely new disease, all we can do is look at similar strains and make educated guesses. Which can be wrong. Erring on the side of caution seems like the safest and most reasonable course of action.  The next few years are sure to shake up the order of things we thought we knew.

Creativity in the market

Extremism- African style

Fashion follows function- naturally

Sensor operated hand sink and soap
The blue machine is now open and
shoppers choose between hand washing
or the full decontamination