Transit and the CoronaVirus - Take Care of Yourself and Each Other

There is a lot of fear about the CoronaVirus with some authorities suggesting people avoid public spaces and telecommute when possible.

Well, for most of us we do not have that as an option for our work.  Nearly every working class job, nurse, teacher, electrician, plumber, etc., requires we show up in person.  For those of us who travel by transit, this will mean traveling by rail or bus in enclosed places with people we don't know for extended periods of time.

Here is my first suggestion.  DON'T PANIC.  Take all the normal precautions you would normally take with the flu  One precaution I will take is taking hand sanitizer and handiwipes with me and use them liberally.  As we know, we don't always get a seat on the bus or train, and if we have to hold onto a pole or rail or strap, that many other people we don't know have held, we should take care of ourselves.

If there is a pandemic, some people will go so far as to opt for gloves and masks.  These are easily obtainable at any Rite Aid or Target. Even if all these do is make you feel better, there is no harm in that.

Metro cannot stop germs and bacteria, of course.  But perhaps some signs advocating healthy habits are warranted.  We don't know how long this outbreak will last, but stay informed and take care.

The President's news conference today gave me absolutely no confidence.  He previously gutted the CDC and I do not trust one single thing that comes out of his mouth.  Not one word.  Furthermore, he designated Vice President Mike Pence of all people as the person to overseeing the Administration's response to the CoronaVirus.  I cannot think of a worse choice.  Mike Pence oversaw an outbreak of HIV/AIDS when he was Governor of Indiana because he prioritized his religious dogmas over medicine and science.

I am reminded of the outbreak of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the 1980's.  At best the response of the Reagan Administration was indifferent.  At times it was outright hostile fear and loathing.  Too many people looked at the disproportionate number of gay men and HIV drug users who were dying of HIV/AIDS and saw the disease as "killing at the right people".  It took a lot of hard work by groups such as ACT UP just to get HIV/AIDS treated as a public health issue and not a moral one.  I see none of that with the CoronaVirus.  I expect the public response will be robust and compassionate, although of course there will be fearful responses with any epidemic if it comes to that.

One thing from that era that the gay community learned in the 1980's is that we had to take care of ourselves.  But let's do more than that.  Let's take care of each other too.  If we see someone who has to grab a rail, or strap, or pole on a train or bus, and your have some hand sanitizer or a handiwipe, offer it to them.  Instead of fear, let's show love and compassion to each other. 

But don't panic.