In the now-forgotten days before the plague, I would have chuckled at the three letters published in the
Fortunately, a piece circulating recently in the media can do the job better. So, slightly amplified:
Here is how you may grieve for the 100,000 lives lost to the plague thus far: You wear a mask at the damn grocery store like you are told; and you wash your hands and wear gloves when out in public; and you keep your social distance and show extra kindness to the cashiers and all those brave folks who serve you and care for your sick and dying.
And you follow the simple, commonsense rules put in place to keep you – but especially vulnerable others – alive and hale, because that is what decent, caring human beings do; and because 100,000 grieving families deserve your kindness.
And oh, just in case you are into reading, how about Boccaccio’s “Decameron” or Albert Camus’ “The Plague”? Yes, we’ve been there before.
Tom GivónIgnacio
