The president's plan is considered reckless by health professionals. So, yes, at least in one sense, Patrick is saying that seniors and other vulnerable people should risk death in order to get the economy back on its feet. But whose economy? Are we being asked to sacrifice our lives for our families, our communities, and the future? Or are we being put at risk for the sake of corporations who might, just might, hire a few workers back?
Give working people money. And workplace democracy.
If I do die, it's likely to happen because we didn't plan for the longstanding possibility of a pandemic like this one. Why not? Because in this economy, the one that now asks the ultimate sacrifice of us, human life was less important than quarterly profits. That sounds like hollow rhetoric, but it is also objective reality.
Not only will I not die to save this economy, I will live to change it. At least, that's the plan.
I will give up a ventilator for a younger person, more than willingly, if it comes to that. But if it does come to that -- if I'm forced to die for this economy -- I'll curse the people who made it happen with my dying breath.
Carlson answers Patrick: "You're basically saying that this disease could take your life, but that's not the scariest thing to you? There's something that would be worse than dying?" And Patrick says, "Yeah."
Here's something worse than dying: knowing you've lived a life without purpose. I think most people want that. In his own way, maybe Dan Patrick wants it, too. But I'm not willing to lay down my life for the S&P500.
Changing this economy -- this damned economy -- now, that's what I call a purpose.
This article is part of a series called, Covid Days, a journal of the plague months from the perspective of a high-risk individual. If you have a story, please let me know. Stay safe, well, and connected.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
