The US passed a grim milestone this week – 1,000,000 deaths from COVID-19. It was hardly noticed as “Covid fatigue” has led to people ripping their masks off and partying like it’s 2019. In Florida, that’s been an official policy pushed by the Governor DeSantis and his acolytes. “Live and let live,” while giving a damn about your neighbor, your family member or your co-worker is the mantra of “freedom loving,” Floridians.

Florida has had nearly 75,000 deaths from COVID-19, the MAJORITY coming AFTER vaccines were widely available. Yet the state government and much of its population has acted like the pandemic is over, and anyone who says or behaves differently is worthy of ostracization from society (I should know, because I fit into that category, getting cold stares anytime I wear a mask in public, which is anytime I am in public). This attitude has come directly from the Governor and has spread through society – words matter and while DeSantis might be more popular than ever and cruising to reelection, I firmly believe history will not judge his handling of this pandemic well – not that he cares.

I’ve personally lost the battle of persuasion even with fellow travelers on the left, so I’ll dispense with the proselytizing here, beyond simply saying we’ve fared poorly in this pandemic and it is NOT OVER.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE think twice about reckless personal behavior that could endanger others. Another wave is here, Florida’s cases much like they have in the summer months of 2020 and 2021 are about to spike. Stay safe.