Paul's Heart

All I Want To Do Is Laugh A Little, And Listen To Some Good Music

If there is one thing that I do truly miss since our world was overrun with Covid, is live music and entertainment. Of course, it was hoped, that after sixteen months, and the hopes of a vaccine, that our world would finally get back to some semblance of normal. Musicians and comics and other forms of entertainment were ready to go, rescheduling tour dates, working on safety protocols, all while caring for themselves, while they wait for the curtain to be pulled back up again.

Throughout the Summer, it looked like it was going to happen. The US had finally gotten its daily caseload down under 10,000 new cases a day, something not seen in over a year and a half. All the mitigation efforts and strategies were paying off, in spite of resistance from so many.

Then, people got careless.

REO Speedwagon (with lead singer Kevin Cronin tested positive), Bush, Stone Temple Pilots, Florida Georgia Line, Garth Brooks, Stevie Nicks, countless music festivals, and brace yourself, even BTS have made the decision to cancel their tours once again. And if you are like me, having hoped to catch “geezer rock” band Kiss one final time, the chances just got diminished after guitarist Paul Stanley tested positive, followed by the demon himself, Gene Simmons tested positive. Other bands are continuing on, likely just a matter of time until they face the same fate at the rate our country is accepting what Covid does and decides a certain minority finally decides that it needs to step up.

Comedians have also experienced the same situation, though their venues are much more intimate and compact, making things even riskier.

Recently, some have decided to become vocal about all the precautions that are being put in place as we continue to struggle getting through Covid19. It is understandable, entertainers are losing tons of money, because that is what they do. And while I have always made it clear, that I am 100% for the freedom of speech, I must admit, I am disappointed in the approach some have taken. Musicians and comedians have never lacked the ability to communicate their politics and opinions. And I can take them or leave them. Like most, I don’t go to a concert to hear politics. I am there to hear the entire new album played live. If I expect a speech coming, perhaps I will make the decision, not worth the paycheck I spend on tickets.

But something unfortunate is happening right now, and it should not be that difficult. It is for the better of mankind and of human health necessity. Venues are placing “requirements” for events to take place. It makes sense. When we found out that second hand smoke caused cancer in non-smokers, the non-smokers were protected, while still allowing the smokers to enjoy their cancer sticks, just not indoors where non-smokers would be trapped. Both smokers and non-smokers were able to enjoy meals wherever they wanted, even in the same establishment, just not have smokers blowing smoke, causing harm to others.

The same argument applies to Covid19 mitigation efforts. It is a false claim that “freedom” is being taken away because you are asked to wear a mask somewhere, have a negative test, and/or have received a vaccine. Depending on the venue’s requirements, everyone is still able to attend and enjoy. There is no freedom lost. You have the freedom not to partake if you do not wish to follow the recommendations, or in some places, now mandates. But what you do not have the right to do, is infect anyone. And since some who are positive for Covid may be asymptomatic, that means not showing symptoms, those positives are carriers spreading the virus, infecting others who may not be as fortunate. This is no different than the second hand smoke argument. Exposing others to Covid19 through intention or ignorance is just as dangerous and deadly.

What I do not understand, is that the United States, and every state within it, has the legal tool it needs to not only shut Covid19 down, but to deal with anyone who intentionally causes harm by knowingly infecting someone else with a deadly disease. I am going to post the link so you can see just how simple it would be, to include Covid19 on the same level as how HIV was dealt with. Yes, it is illegal in most states to knowingly infect someone with AIDS. It should be no different if you recklessly expose someone to Covid19. The criminal aspects are left up to the states, while other regulations are left up to the federal government.

https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/policies/law/states/exposure.html

And before I move on, before people start posting stuff how the government cannot mandate vaccines, yes, it can. And the Supreme Court has upheld that mandate in the past. Again, keeping it simple, the year is 1905, the case is Jacobsen vs Massachusetts, about the small pox vaccine. The Supreme Court ruled for the safety and health of the population. Small pox killed hundreds of millions of people from the year 1900 until vaccines put the status as “eradicated” in 1977 (in other words, no longer). Who knows how long small pox was actually around, but a vaccine became available at the turn of the 19th century (that’s the 1800’s). In the case of Jacobsen, the smallpox vaccine was mandated in 1901. In spite of his opposition, the Supreme Court ruled it was in the nation’s populations health and safety, to rule against Jacobsen.

The same will happen with Covid19. While smallpox killed hundreds of millions world wide, that is over hundreds of years. In Jacobsen’s case, around 300 people died from the outbreak in Boston in 1901 (compare that to the dead from Covid19 in 2020/2021, there is no comparison). World wide, in less than two years, there have been nearly 300,000,000 million cases, 42 million in the US alone. 4.5 million are dead around the world, 677,000 dead in the US (not including Florida since they do not report their information accurately.

Yes, the case can be, and will be made for mandating the Covid19 vaccines, which are safe.

But what set me off this morning, was a comedian. There are some comedians who have been protesting mitigation efforts, and I get it, because for them it has never been about their act. It has always been about their political platform, and that is their right and their ability. Honestly, they are not that funny anyway. But the comic I heard this morning, threw me for a loop, because, while I do think he is funny, and I do get annoyed with him injecting his personal politics into his act (I have no objection to hammering both political parties), he crossed a line.

Beyond “Goatboy,” he really is a funny comic. He has also made it clear, that he does not take Covid19 seriously enough to be concerned for others. And while many conspiracy kooks and anti-vaxxers are just way off the charts, what he said this morning was horrifying. On a Facebook live post he claimed “God is good”, he was going to fight segregation (a conspiracy term used the anti-vaxx movement), and then explained his defense. I want to be clear, I get the whole “distrust of government,” and as far as Covid19 is concerned, that started with the former president, the way the health agencies had to tapdance around his ego, and the current administration and how they are trying to deal with the long term opposition of common sense. I get that. Trust is a hard thing to restore when you blow it.

But Bruer went too far, encouraging his viewers on the post, to even stop believing their doctors. I could not believe my ears. Of all the things I heard, this was the most fucked up! Bruer’s claims is that our doctors are all in together with the government and this “scam.” Bruer then goes on to say, he would “rather go bankrupt” than to give in, in other words, to hell with any of his fans and any concerns of health.

Admittedly, I do not know if Bruer has had any personal experience with Covid19, or knows anyone who had been so sick or even died from Covid19. If he did, then he is a complete sellout just for his schtick. And if he has not, then he ought to just shut the fuck up and consider himself lucky, because people have died from Covid19, and are continuing to die at a ridiculous rate, when we have the means to prevent it, but assholes like Bruer doing all they can to oppose it for their own financial gain.

And that is just baaaaaaaaaad for all of us.

Infuriating Is An Understatement

As schools continue to open across the country, one thing we have not been able to do as a country, is come together and just do the right thing for EVERYONE. And over the last several weeks, there have been plenty of news reports all over, of contentious school board meetings, as they often are, between the board and the public, getting out of control, often requiring the need for police support. The school district where my daughters attend is no exception.

I remain in public discussion with my former school district as it often gets pointed out to me, why I have any right to comment on anything there since I no longer live there. And I point out that my children do attend there, so it does matter to me. In full disclosure, I also do have a history with this district, as I was twice a candidate for the school board, beginning a movement that brought much needed sweeping changes to making it the great district that it is today, and in capable hands of dealing with this horrific crisis of Covid19.

Also in full disclosure, I do believe in the 1st amendment, and the right to peacefully protest. And so, having heard how bad the school board meeting went the week before with boorish behaviors of so many, that police were called in for safety precautions, I thought I would tune in for the next meeting. The preparations for this meeting were excellent. A larger venue to allow social distancing. A time limit on public commentary, not for the sake of limiting someone’s voice, but to hopefully keep speakers focused on what they wanted to get across (I have been to meetings where one person basically repeated the same sentiment, four different ways, for over twenty minutes). With the number of people expected to turn out, no one wanted to be at that meeting until the wee hours of the morning. Remember, most school boards are volunteer. Most importantly, police were already present. Rules of participation were read prior to the start of the meeting, consequences announced for anyone veering from those rules, and the meeting went through very timely, with little disruption other than applause for each side’s speakers.

While I am clearly on the side of precautions, which the district has been recognized as a leader by the CDC in the steps that they have taken to ensure safety while operating the schools, via facemasks, distancing, engineering, sanitation, and testing, there is clearly the other side who opposes all of those methods, for whatever their reason. Regardless if I believe they are wrong for those reasons, and they are, they have the right to speak. I even encourage them how to speak so that their words come out as respectful and factual. Alas, there were 3 or 4 “buffoons,” who chose to waste their two minutes of their 1s amendment right to protest the pending mandates from the board by spouting off all kinds of political bullshit that was not going to have any impact, just look like fools doing it. Oh, and the part about being “factual,” yeah, that did not happen either because comparatively speaking, the facts presented by the “anti” held zero weight in comparison to those that were in support of any mandates to keep the children and staff safe.

Now, an argument can be made, that because so many people spoke up against, they must be the majority. That is clearly subjective. A simple theory, people who are content do not normally participate. People who are upset, will speak out. That is all there is to it. The majority is not against mask mandates and other mitigation. They are just the noisiest.

But here is one point no one, anywhere, in any state or locality, who is opposed to any mitigation has been able to answer or offer, any other alternative. Okay, I get it, you are anti mask (though I really do wish you would just admit that you don’t like the way it makes you look instead of offering all other bullshit). But what can you suggest in its place? Sure the mask is not perfect, but you know what it prevents? Stupidity and selfishness, and really, poor hygiene. I witnessed someone just the other day, a grown adult, just let out a sneeze all over the floor in front of her, not even attempting to cover her snot hole. THAT IS WHAT THE FUCKING MASK IS FOR! Because too many are pigs and willing to direct spray their germs. Need proof? We needed to be told to wash our hands! And then there is this one.

A small child wanting to go to school. Mother explains he is only on day 7 of his 10 and is reminded of another student who had to do the same. The problem? I heard the conversation which means the kid was not in quarantine, nor was his mother and family, AND NONE OF THEM WERE WEARING A FREAKING MASK! IN PUBLIC!

Stupidity and selfishness at its finest.

So, some time after the board meetings were over, on two separate nights, assholes went on a vandalism spree, spray painting anti messages on various properties, schools and other public properties. I have to laugh, because those commenting on the news articles are making the assumptions that it was kids doing it. Let me tell you something, the kids do not care about the mandates. They just want to be in school. They will do what they have to, to achieve that. No, I 100% believe these were disgruntled adult morons like the buffoons at the school board meeting. And now, the taxpayers get to pay for the clean up.

I am both excited and anxious for my daughters to return to in class schooling. The results of the last year and a half are mixed, some good things, some bad. But when all is said and done, I believe they are better off in school, but only if it can be done safely. The school board has done what they can to make sure of this, and will make the difficult decisions again if they must. But at least I know they have the safety of all in mind.

Hopefully those involved in this vandalism are caught, and punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Here Is To Cooler Heads

The bar for how bad human behavior can get is constantly being challenged. Just weeks ago, we were aghast to see a flight passenger duct taped to his seat (although some would have argued he should have been duct taped to the wing given the abusive behavior and danger he put the flight and passengers in).

But as Covid19 has roared back in intensity, because, well, let’s face it, people wanted it, and they got it, the “freedom” to resume life as it was before the pandemic. The numbers speak for themselves. With mitigation efforts, in spite of those opposed to the efforts, our country was able to get our case numbers down from the 200,000’s down to 11, 000. But within weeks of “relaxing” mitigation with the support of vaccinations, we are back to over 155,000 new cases per day, and that is with some states not even reporting daily. It is common sense, not just science, the mitigation efforts worked. It is just this, too many people got selfish.

For the last two years, second to the concerns for the most vulnerable, are the risks of the children. I have no problem stating, I will never accept the belief that some have, that “it does not affect children as much.” The truth is, this Delta variant is affecting way more children than the original strain. But here is the thing I can definitely not accept, that people, even some parents, that the sacrifice of a child’s life is worth not sacrificing their own personal lives. What I do not understand, as clearly someone who believes this, has never lost a child. And then, who decides what child does get to live or do, who will be worthy of the sacrifice. This is pure madness. It should not come as a surprise to a nation that does not give a shit when it comes to children being killed, such as in mass school shootings.

Stay focused Paul.

This is now going to be the third year, that my children, like millions of others, will be dealing with Covid while trying to get an education. Early in 2020, schools switched to virtual in most cases, with no prior preparation for such a mass undertaking. In my daughters case, the 2020-2021 was completely virtual. The results were actually odd, in that one daughter actually raised her grades, and the other’s grades slightly dipped. But socially was the biggest impact, the loss of face to face with their friends. So naturally, I was, and I emphasize, was encouraged that they would be starting school for the new school year in person.

Their school district has done everything right, to the best of their abilities from engineering controls, to testing controls, sanitation, and of course masking policies. Their efforts not only kept Covid19 from raging through the district, though there were usually a new case or two every day, their efforts were recognized by the CDC to be included in a retrospective study in how to get the schools to operate safely.

It looked like we were on track to get things back to normal, especially for the kids. Then this started happening.

All over the country now, as the Delta variant has resulted in a massive increase in Covid19 among children, school districts now have to decide to re-implement mitigation efforts such as face masks again. I won’t bind up this post with a discussion on masking, it is a dead horse. They work, end of story.

But a minority of parents are now coming out to school board meetings to “protest” the implementation of any mandatory face mask policy. To be clear, I support the right to protest 100%. I also stress that it be important to be respectful and factual when trying to get your point across. As a former school board candidate, I spent many opportunities in front of a podium, admonishing school board decisions I did not agree with. But what has historically been a mostly apathetically attended event, are now packed rooms, often times being relocated to accommodate size for the increased attendance, and limiting public commentary to a certain number of minutes which those who object to that, erroneously feel that this is a communistic tactic. Trust me, having sat through public commentary, some people can ramble on for a half an hour of nonsense, and not speak one word of factual content, which if you are protesting, is what you need to do to convince the board to change their minds on a topic. Now, can you imagine the horror of 200 people rambling on like that? The you would have people screaming that speeches were not limited.

Anyhow, as boards now contemplate mask mandates for their districts as needed, school board meetings are being attended in mass. Which is a good thing. There is information to be learned. Maybe, just maybe, that will help to clear up misconceptions, understand more clearly the efforts being taken. Most importantly, that decisions being made are not being made for political gain.

Instead, a minority of parents, but noticeable, are crossing the line of peaceful protest to the point that school board meetings now have to be guarded by police forces, as speakers not only hurl threats from the podium, but then also wait for school board members to exit into the parking lot to do who knows what. One thing is for certain, emotions are running hot, and any threat to a volunteer position as a school board member is (thankless and volunteer in most states), must be taken seriously.

People are losing their damn minds!

Here is the thing. I know, because I read, and I listen, to everything that is going on with the district that my children go to school in. I also follow information from the CDC as well as my personal physicians. I am fully confident in the guidance that the school board in my daughters district, are using information not only from the CDC, but from the state’s department of health, but they also are in a county that has its own health department, that all minds put together, the board will recommend and follow what the professionals and scientists recommend.

But to those who plan to attend tonight’s school board meeting, try this. Be tactful. Be respectful. Be factual. If you are just against masks, just say you are against masks and don’t want them. Don’t spew out information you know cannot be verified or reference to masks as face diapers and muzzles. We have a major health crisis like I know I have never seen in my lifetime, and anything less than facts and respect will resolve nothing. Most importantly, be smart. Do not resort to violence in the form of threat or actions.

Many want to blame all the efforts of mitigation “upsetting” and distressing the children. Quite the contrary, it is the tone and the actions of the parents doing it.