Around March 11th the W.H.O. declared SARS-CoV-2 a global pandemic. Alarms were already going off around the world and NYC in particular. Most people were awestruck by the shock wave of what we were facing. We had never walked such a path before.
Who wasn’t captivated by TV news or social media stories of our war against nature? Instinct prevents us from looking away from a fire or freeway accident. The magnitude of this disaster has dwarfed anything in my lifetime. This is our generation’s war.
Front lines in this conflict aren’t secured by traditional heroes in camo gear and pounds of lethal equipment. Scrubs, sneakers, face masks and sophisticated PPE equip these 21st century defenders.
Faces of Protectors reveal battle fatigue, stress and the devastation they suffer. Nothing sexy in this war. They fight for those clinging to life; fight for our nation; fight for humankind. Compassionately, they fight for their own lives, as well as family members.
Our front line Superheroes wear face masks, not capes. They spit at the Devil, while standing in the fires of hell.
What’s Wrong with the Rest of Us?
Full disclosure. I’m looking to serve; begging to serve. I’m a public health specialist. Been a soldier in the battle to squash the opioid epidemic across our nation since 2010. As we approach an estimated 70,000 tragic deaths related to COVID19, remember opioids have ravaged American families with nearly this number of needless deaths each year for over a decade.
Jeff Ubben, ValueAct: Hawaiian Electric Management “Doing Such a Bad Job”
Although a warrior, Hawaiian Electric fired me due to incompetence related to my medical disability. Had nothing to do with work performance. Rated excellent. My team needed me. CEO Connie Lau is a banker. CEO Alan Oshima’s energy rates are highest in the nation. Public health isn’t their specialty.
Chief executive Jeff Ubben of finance giant, ValueAct, told shareholders of Hawaiian Electric that management “was doing such a bad job,” that he demanded outsiders replace the two. Both have been shuffled to lesser roles.
I want back in the game and am asking why you’re sitting on the sidelines? We got $1,200, a small chunk of unemployment compensation, and you’re finding the quiet life to be kind of cozy? Why rush back to work, you say? Scary out there? We’ve all seen the vivid TV and media reports. Buck up, buttercup!
In a study of some 1,000 new patients admitted to New York hospitals over the last week, 66% were staying at home and 18% had come from nursing homes, meaning they either became infected by going out to get groceries or essential items, or from seeing people outside of work. [source]
Seriously! What’s up? You now prefer life in pajamas until noon? No makeup or shaving. Why comb your hair? Having a groovy time kickin’ it with friends on FaceTime or dropping Tictok vids? Leisurely days squabbling on social media? Considering Quarantine bangs? Possibly venture out for supplies with your sister today? Worried about the COVID 15?
Listen Linda; Listen Larry! We’re at war. Seriously!
What the fuck are you thinking? Time to get real. Remember those Superheroes I mentioned a few paragraphs earlier? They’re front line defenders. Yes, they’re essential — but only to the healthcare system. You’re essential as well. We’re all essential in our fields.
Medical Superheroes can’t continue if we don’t provide electricity they need; or PPE they need; or food they need; or many other services they need. To provide these, you need to do the job you’re trained to do. We’re all part of a massive economic Rube Goldberg machine. We had to pause to help front line defenders “flatten the curve.” Now we must rev up the motors to continue our way up and out of this hole.
Liberals Refuse to Serve Nation in Time of War: Privileged and Entitled Cowards. They Expect Others to Serve Them. Freedom Isn’t Free. All Give Some; Some Give All.
Consider it’s frightening out there? You’re worried you might get infected, possibly die if you go to work? How much is a life worth? Are we risking health for profit? Rushing back too soon? Do medical Superheroes have such privilege? Is quit in their vocabulary? Why then do you claim to be entitled?
Maybe you have a weakened system? We’re at war. As Donald Rumsfeld said before the invasion of Iraq, “You go to war with the army you have.” Here we are. Maybe you need to remain isolated. There are home-based jobs available. Find one. If you’re healthy and strong, the nation needs us to serve.
Do you understand now how citizens in London, or Paris, or Dresden, or Tokyo must have felt when bombs dropped on their cities? They faced danger and death at night, but valiantly pushed forward the next day to work factories, distribute supplies, and contribute all the services needed to emerge victorious.
What’s wrong with you? Seriously? Are you are coward?
Time to Measure Up
For some time, activists have claimed programs to provide guaranteed income, free medical, college education, and housing assistance would allow citizens to reach more of their potential. Doesn’t seem to be working in this pause. Admit it! You don’t want to go back to work. You prefer to basement dwell.
State representative, Amy Perruso, champions socialist policies, and now urges citizens in Hawai’i to organize Rent Strikes. She doesn’t call youngsters to serve. She expects the nation to serve her friends and supporters — even in a time of war. Good way to get votes, I suppose. Vote for me … give you a free life.
Our grandparents are remembered as The Greatest Generation. I was born in the John F. Kennedy era, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”
Amy’s Army asks for FREE RENT.
COVID19 isn’t horrific here in Hawai’i. Greatest threat we face comes from elected officials. Dumb and Dumber; Clue and Clueless. We’ve squashed da bug. Governor David FrankenIGE keeps allowing possibly infectious visitors into our bubble. Close to 6,000 since lockdown started. Tourism officials appear to own him.
Why you lockdown our ‘Ohana, Dave, but let stay the virus?
Competent authorities would commandeer one vacant hotel (many available at this time), and isolate arrivals in the facility until they test negative. Then and only then they would enter the general population. That’s how wise and compassionate leaders protect their people.
“I’m ecstatic the governor finally realized we do need to open for business. It’s great news.”
Bradley Ishii, owner of Thinker Toys and Thinker Things in Kahala Mall
FrankenIGE? Just opened malls. Churches are closed; schools closed; exercise facilities closed. Need some nail polish or a new pair of Jordans? New toy for your kid?
“Opening malls is brain-dead. That’s just inviting crowds. That’s just foolish. One thing we know about the virus is it loves crowds. The last thing we want to do is bring people together.”
Dr. Tim Brown, an infectious-disease modeler and senior fellow at East-West Center
Could order online but Dave’s the man for the rich and privileged. Human beings are only dollar signs to him. Everything should be free according to Representative Amy.
Lolos and Covidiots!
NOTE: late Tuesday night, after I posted my comment, FrankenIGE backpedaled. Now only retailers and malls on Hawaii island and Kauai will be allowed to reopen Thursday. Bradley Ishii, Thinker Toys, was surprised when the fool-hearty governor announced retail could open Thursday.
American history was written by the Brave, Courageous, Resourceful, Innovative. Are you an AmeriCAN or AmeriCANT? Americans never accept no. We do not accept defeat. We will develop a vaccine or cure, but we must buy time for our researchers. We will protect our most vulnerable, but we can’t hide in fear.
Americans do not beg for food; we earn it. We do not cheat landlords over housing costs; we pay it. We do not seeks a helping hand to pay our data plan. We find a way. Americans make it happen. We #JustDoIt. We toil, sweat and serve each other and our country. All of us are essential and it’s time now to show the world we remain a nation of Superheroes.
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Ko’olau of Kaua’i. I am the Defiant One
“I Believe We Can”
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