Information, in this pandemic age, is more important than ever.
    For far more than eight months now, the deadly coronavirus has been front and centre on daily, and hourly, newscasts. We listen to the facts and figures. The case count and the death count continue to rise, in many cases (in many regions) to record levels.
   We grow more fearful.
   Much of the information is useful, yet some of if is incorrect or incomplete. Throw in an opinion or two and what we should know, and what we are told, differ greatly.
   More than confusing, misinformation can be deadly.
   With any COVID-19 news you have to consider the source.
   Do you trust the word of a doctor or scientist, or do you take the information proffered by a politician?
   What, or whom, will protect you?
   A doctor is full of medical facts. Indeed, COVID-19 diagnosis and dialogue can, and does, change like the deadly virus we have come to fear (and so we should).
Doctors are realists. They see first-hand what is happening and, true to the nature of the profession, do what they can to treat the disease and the patient to their best abilities.
   Scientists, as well, take facts from trials and experiments and do what they can in their sterile laboratories to analyze and hypothesize and shape answers and opinions to advise what will happen, or could, Or will. Again, guardians of science are realists.
   Politicians on the other hand, by their very nature, are opportunists.
   Everything a politician does is ultimately in their (or their party’s) best interest. Yes, they may preface their advice or information by telling us they have the interests of their constituents at heart. And yes, politicians work with the same medical facts and scientific information currently offered, but do so on a pick-and-choose basis. A politician in power will select the positive news, overlook the less favorable aspects of what we are dealing with, and present what they believe is information we should know.
   It might not be dishonest, but it can be far from the truth.
   At times the explanation offered by a politician is as useful as a facemask discarded on the street.
   It serves no purpose, other than, perhaps, get the politician reelected. This is the reality we are living with.
   This pandemic has become overly politicized while science has been demonized.
   Consider your source. In the case of COVID-19, it might be a matter of life or death.

© 2020 j.g. lewis

The eleventh hour

of the 11^th day, in

this eleventh month. This day

is important, a year we cannot

gather together to remember.

Few of us know of

the days, even less

who remember. We cannot share

close thoughts or memories of

those who sacrificed. For us.

For what we know

now, and that which

we do not appreciate as much as

we could. As much as we should

care even more, as we remember.

 

 

 

11/11/2020                                                   j.g.l.

Should we be surprised at what we woke up to this morning?

Should we be surprised we stayed up to watch?

Should we question the process, or the polls?

Shouldn’t we have expected this?

Shouldn’t we have known the defiance that has marked Donald Trump’s presidency would continue? Didn’t he tell us?

Shouldn’t we have listened?

Shouldn’t we have known? Or should we remain uncertain?

I voted on Monday.
It was only a by-election, still I voted.
It does not matter whether the election is federal, provincial, or municipal,
I vote any way.
It does not matter whom I vote for.
What matters is that I voted.
I does not matter that I do not subscribe to any certain party’s beliefs,
I vote.
I believe in democracy, not politics.
I voted for the candidate I believed most closely represented my values.
I voted for the candidate I believed would best represent the community.
I always vote.
The politician I vote for is my choice.
It matters that I have that choice.
It matters that I have a voice.
On Monday, it mattered that I voted.
I does not matter that the candidate I selected was not successful.
What matters is that I voted.
I will vote whether the election is federal, provincial, or local.
It matters.
It matters even more that I can vote.
There is nothing to stop me from voting.
In this country we practice democracy.
In this country we have that freedom.
I live in Canada.
So I vote.
I will vote, even if there is no candidate who represents me.
Whether I am voting nationally, provincially or locally,
I will show up.
It doesn’t matter if I mark my ballot, or whether I spoil my ballot.
It matters that a ballot is available to me.
It matters that I have the right to vote.
It matters that I have that freedom.
So I vote.
Even if the vote does not go the way I anticipate, or expect,
the vote will go my way.
It is my right to vote.
I respect the process.
I don’t always respect the politician, but that too is my right,
because I voted.
You should always vote.
Voting gives you a choice.
Voting gives you a voice.

@ 2020 j.g. lewis

It simply cannot be an acceptable answer,
not now and not ever. Barely a response,
‘maybe’ is so noncommittal, and far
too common in this age of ambiguity.
All too often we settle for a maybe
instead of waiting for what we want,
even if we are uncertain.
Can you get any less certain than maybe?
Maybe lacks affirmation, even more
than ‘I don’t know’ but, really, it is
much the same as saying so.
How can you know where you will go,
if you don’t make a decision, or even
an attempt to decide a definite position
or destination? Be definite in your role,
your place, and in your desires.
Don’t be so lackadaisical in your intent
that you allow outside measures to
influence a promise, plan, or proposition.
Perhaps you have grown tired of all those
things you have to do, the responsibilities,
duties, and outright obligations expected
of you. It seems like so much, it always
does, but you try to comply, but you don’t
ask the how; or where. Nor even the why.
You can easily be hijacked by a maybe;
it is frequently unknown but at the time
may seem like it has true potential.
Undeniably so, but you never can tell
what a maybe will mean. Even if
you are not certain of your goals, you
should be committed to your direction.