What Americans Deserve Right Now

At eight months into a pandemic, the people should be entitled to a lower death toll and reconciliation

Photo by Tai's Captures on Unsplash

I’ve been writing these Covid-19 updates for eight months straight. I could never have imagined doing this for this long. I imagine you’re eagerly awaiting the day when you go on Twitter and you don’t have to see these anymore. You deserve that and so much more.

1. A pandemic election. You deserve to hire someone for this job. Based on my time serving in government, my advice is to make the decision based on compassion, competence, and someone who won’t rest until Americans are safe again.
2. Stress relief. People are wound pretty tight after eight months of this, I don’t care who you are. Take time to remind yourself what gives you joy in life — likely who gives you joy in life. Don’t make this feel unsustainable, like you can’t exhale. Meaningful moments exist.
3. Not going back to the old way, but going forward. Some crave a return to normal. But normal wasn’t great for many. The pandemic not only exposed so much inequality, it exploited it. Family medical leave, independent living, health care for all seem like places to start.
4. Reconciliation. Face it, you hate your neighbors. Not those neighbors, the other ones. The ones…