It looks like we're getting closer to the end of the pandemic, but if people act irresponsibly, this virus could last a lot longer. Thankfully many lawmakers voted to approve a rescue package that brings needed economic relief to individuals, businesses, and health and education organizations. We need this. When our neighbors can pay their bills and get the care they need, we all benefit.
Yet, some self-serving, me-first leaders who serve only to protect their White privilege and long-held advantage, are working against our welfare as a people and nation. They are rolling back pandemic precautions, voting against economic supports, and trying to spread confusion and chaos rather than systematic efforts to rid our country of this heavy health and economic threat.
What can we do?
First, encourage everyone you know to stay the course by continuing to congregate with small groups only inside, wear masks in public where social distancing is impossible, use good hygiene, plan larger events for the outdoors, and avoid any kind of irresponsible decisions. To work ourselves out of the pandemic takes good effort by all of us.
Second, take the time to think seriously about the leaders you support and elect. Too many political leaders work for themselves and their cronies alone with no regard for the greater good for our country, its lands, and the people. We need creative, hard working, people-centered leaders who will work for the collective good by forwarding just policies that afford everyone opportunity for good living in clean, safe environments. We have to rid our country of systems of oppression, greed, bigotry, hate, and poverty--we can do that, but it will take everyone's hard work to get us there.
Third, resist the lies, propaganda, and exaggeration spread by individuals and organizations by doing the research to find out the truth of the matter. In this information age, self-servers like Trump have manipulated the masses to prop up their wealth, power, pleasure, and privilege with little to no regard about what it takes to make the entire nation stronger and better. We have to rid our government agencies, public service organizations, businesses and communities of self-serving propagandists like these people, and instead elect, choose, and promote leaders that will work civilly together for the greater good.
Fourth, do what you can in your family and community to forward the good. Reach out in positive ways to streamline agencies and processes for betterment. Contribute your time, talent, and energy in ways that you can to help people live good lives.
There is great promise on the horizon with the rescue package on its way to families that need it, the vaccine roll-out everywhere in the country, and more people than not working for the common good. May it continue.