There are more than 350,000 deaths due to the coronavirus worldwide, with more than 100,000 of those in the United States, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Research Center. It is disgusting to witness the lack of concern from some people regarding the pandemic.

To put things into a sobering perspective, there were 2,996 deaths during the September 11 Attacks and 36,574 American lives lost during Vietnam. U.S. deaths due to COVID-19 are currently 33 times more than deaths from 9/11 and about triple the death toll from Vietnam.

Despite all this, we have every state forging ahead with some version of reopening and many citizens showing no regard to his or her fellow human by not complying with the simple tasks of wearing a mask or social distancing. Unfortunately, I have witnessed this in my own life. I have seen folks actively denying the virus’ impact, calling it a “hoax” and saying it is “blown out of proportion.” Going shopping wherever they please. Even complaining about not being able to get a haircut.

This is not a joke.

There is nothing hilarious about my mother, who has asthma and a compromised immune system, worrying everyday about contracting the virus from someone who is not adhering to protection guidelines. My mother has limited her outings to work and the occasional grocery store visit. Yet she is still concerned.

There is nothing funny about me being concerned for her sake and for mine as well. I have also limited my outings. In fact, I have not physically walked into a store or place of business in more than a month. Even when I had to, I wore a mask and gloves and kept the hand sanitizer available. My mother and I are not even going to consider an in person outing, such as church or events, until July or August at the earliest.

I get it. It sucks to be at home or out of work, unable to see your friends in person, or shop the way you normally do. The fact of the matter is, however, we must take every precaution to protect our fellow humans. This is not a joke and, if you think it is, you are part of the problem. There is unequivocally nothing amusing about the virus or its impact on our world.

Photo Courtesy: Matthew Brodeur via Unsplash