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Originally sent to email list subscribers March 28. §§

Gang,

We have to stop blaming each other. Forget about whose fault everything is — it’s a divisive distraction and is precisely what Uncle Vladimir wants, for us to divide and bicker, when the answer is to pull together.

At the same time, we cannot wait any longer for instruction from above — it is not forthcoming. Our leaders are not leading, but rather are trying to recruit us to join them in finger-poiniting. We must take a hard look at the things that need to be done NOW, and start to do them NOW.

I submit that sheltering in place is an absolutely essential first step. Please take five minutes and watch this clip from Dr. Emily Porter (Rep Katie Porter’s sister):

This is the most cohesive, articulate and persuasive explanation of “Flattening the Curve” I’ve seen anywhere.

Then contemplate the difference in the virus’s trajectory in China, where they enforced very draconian isolation measures to stop the spread (and succeeded), to Italy, where they did nothing.

For basic answers to basic questions about the virus, go to:https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/coronavirus-resource-center#COVID

(One of the startling things I saw there was that you may remain infectious for weeks after you’ve “recovered”!)

In the absence of cohesive leadership from above, we must all take action at the individual and community level. I offer the following — rough and unpolished, but heartfelt:

We Are America

We Are America.
We tend to forget that.
We tend to lie back,
And wait for someone else,
To do the work.

But it’s not the leaders
that make America great,
We do. You do and I do,
If we stop and think about it.

We can’t wait for orders from The Top.
(The Top is all too often focused
on covering their Bottom …
And their bottom line.)

So, what do we do?
We do what we have done
So many times before —
We look out for each other.

We are the first responders now,
going where the need is,
To help any way we can.
To pick each other up when we fall down.

This is not the time for finger-pointing,
If it needs to be done … do it!
There are so many of us
who can help to fill the voids.

We will not come out unscathed —
we never have —
but we will come out strong —
we always do.

Because you and I,
and our millions of mothers and fathers
and sisters and brothers
and neighbors of all descriptions,

YOU are America.
I am America.

Say it out loud:
WE ARE AMERICA

Stay safe, stay healthy! I’ll be back in touch shortly with some from-home offerings of songs and stories — hopefully, a smile or two.

All the best,

Tom Rush

What you can do (other than taking pains not to spread that virus you may not know you have). Our heroic health care workers are struggling with a drastic lack of basic gear.

Got a sewing machine? Google How to Make a Face Mask. They may not meet hospital specs, but could work in the community and thereby free up supplies for our heroes in the IC Ward.

Got a 3-D printer? https://www.forbes.com/sites/tjmccue/2020/03/24/calling-all-makers-with-3d-printers-join-critical-mission-to-make-face-masks-and-shields-for-2020-healthcare-workers/#6375c9117500

Look around your community — if someone is doing something useful, pitch in and help. (And don’t worry who he voted for or if she’s a 6th Day Adventist instead of 7th Day — the virus doesn’t give a damn and neither should you!)

Hang in there — if we pull together we can do this!