We will get through crisis together

Renae Paisley’s opinion piece in last week’s paper left me both angry and disheartened. She insists that the measures initiated to help control the Covid-19 pandemic – which to date has killed more than one hundred thousand people in the U.S – are simply an intolerable intrusion on her individual freedom.

“Any ordinary and healthy individual should weather the storm” she writes. That is generally true, but it is also true that an asymptomatic carrier can pass the virus on to others. “I will not be wearing a mask in the stores, nor in general public,” she continues, “nor will I be practicing social distancing.”

If she were indeed an asymptomatic carrier, her reckless behavior could lead to the infection – and possible death – of many others, an easily verifiable fact.

There is more. “If I interact with someone who has not eaten nutritionally excellent foods, or properly taken care of their health that is their personal responsibility.” It saddens me that she has so little regard or compassion for others less fortunate or less healthy than she is. Hopefully she will never find herself in a situation in which she needs consideration and kindness from others.

As for the rest of us– “please do not spread your fear and insecurity onto me.” My wife is a nurse, and I do fear for her safety, with reason.

A friend of ours, also a nurse, has been suffering from the virus for six weeks, and this formerly healthy person will probably feel its effects for the rest of her life.

My niece, an EMT, has contracted the virus.

Another niece works in a nursing home, and her family rightly fears for her safety.

It must be pleasant to be able to be as blasé about this deadly virus as Ms.

Paisley, but most of us – those who have the common decency to be concerned for the vulnerable who live among us – can’t and won’t consider the “fear and insecurity” of others beneath our notice.

Finally, she says that she “seeks to share love, truth and gratitude.” Sadly, her own words put the lie to this claim. On the contrary, her anti-social behavior and seemingly sociopathic beliefs show that she believes in the law of the jungle, twenty-first century style. Love requires consideration for others besides oneself. Caring for truth would mean accepting the harsh truth that this virus is deadly, not just another version of the common cold. As for gratitude, she fails to show one iota of gratitude (or respect) for her elders, only contempt for their weakness.

I am grateful that most of my neighbors and fellow citizens have had the decency and good judgment to follow the guidelines recommended by the CDC. Together we will get through this crisis, but the selfish attitudes and behaviors championed by Ms. Paisley make it much harder than it needs to be.

Tony Harrah lives on the Swinomish Reservation, and has lived in Skagit County for twenty years.