Dear Oblivious America, STEP UP!

Let me get to the point very quickly. This is a message to everyone who decided to spend their time partying and surrounded by other people as local and state governments were begging you not to — were pleading for you to take COVID-19 seriously — were telling you that you might already have the virus! Wake up! Get your head out of the sand…

While you’re soaking in the sun on an overcrowded beach in Clearwater or anywhere else, or hanging out at bars, or defying requests to avoid large gatherings, your country is scrambling to figure out how to combat a deadly virus that will take the lives of countless people. While doctors, nurses, and health care professionals are putting their lives at risk and hospitals are preparing for the worst, you’ve decided it’s not your problem. You’ve decided that your vacation, or celebration, or need to blow off steam, or whatever motivates you to not give a shit is more important than the welfare of your fellow citizens. Well, aren’t you special… No, you’re a potential carrier, just like the rest of us. Tag, you’re it.

Too much of a sacrifice, you say? You deserve to have your fun time, you work so hard, right!? Come on! There will be another time to party in the sun, to drink with your friends, to blow off steam, to be blissfully ignorant. NOW IS NOT THAT TIME. Yes, ALL CAPS means I’m shouting. If that hurts your feelings, I’m sorry. Actually, I’m not. What if YOU ARE ALREADY INFECTED and don’t know it? What should hurt your feelings, what should make you feel bad, is if you infected your grandparents and they died! Or a parent! Or a neighbor! Or a kid with a compromised immune system! Or… ANYONE!

How about choosing to show JUST A TINY BIT of selflessness to the country that has provided you-—that has gifted you—with the freedom to be selfish. How about choosing that just this once…

When was the last time your country ever asked you to step up? Actually, let me rephrase that: When was the last time you stepped up for your country?

Now is that time. I know you’ve got it in you! STEP UP!