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 that watch that other cable channel and wear their masks ironically. Yes, them. It feels like you’ll never get past it. But remember they make that mean dessert you like.
5. To hug your kids. Ours don’t hug us anyway. They’re 22 and 18. It doesn’t mean we don’t deserve it though. We’re cool parents and very funny.
6. A helicopter ride to the hospital if you get sick, access to the best medicine, and the doctor that looks like Alfalfa. Actually I’m fine with a different doctor, but we should all get the helicopter ride and the medicine.
7. The ability to be shocked once again. “Did you hear? He swallowed an American flag.” “Yes dear. I know.” “He burned down the White House.” “He sold Nevada.” “He put tariffs on Virginia.” “He rode a horse into the Oval.” Be honest, none of it would shock you. I’m quite confident that if Joe Biden becomes president, we will once again be trained to be appalled if he misplaces an adverb…