Two Americas
 

I listen to the radio (mostly local pop/rock and NPR) all day long and am a news junkie as well and read CNN, Fox, NYT and Wash Post throughout the day. Have been hearing/reading a lot of heartwarming stories about people being extra nice and caring. Just heard a good little story about a food delivery guy who lost his mask and one of his customers gave him one and a big tip. He was really touched while giving his interview and I think this kind of this is contagious. Lot of these stories which is great.

My own customers have been really nice asking how things are going and if we are doing OK here.

A few days ago I was going to post postulating that something like this virus was the catalyst for cultural shift toward a more Star Trekian humanity.

But also have been hearing/reading stories about Michigan protesters, people hoarding and reselling for a huge profit, fake drugs, stuff like that.

I think the good outweighs the bad by many factors but the dichotomy is interesting.

Most people are good/decent. There are a few bad apples and morons, but they are usually loud enough that they stand out.

I'd be surprised if this led to any long term cultural change. It seems like this is what usually happens in a disaster, whether it be fires, floods, hurricanes, whatever.... After the disaster is over, things will slowly go back to normal.

Hopefully it will make people consider who the real heros are.

I really feel for the people working in the supermarkets. Like doctors and nurses, they need to go to work but are probably paid a 1/5 and likely worse protection. Making 10-15 an hour, their choices to stay home are probably really limited.

Stress always brings out the best and worst in people, sometimes these traits only depend on perspective, while it's easy to pick on some of the protesters from one perspective(the woman that needs to have her hair done) others may be desperate to just put food on the table or pay rent/mortgage. There are certainly a lot of people whose lives have been ruined by this, but also a lot of grifters looking for personal advantage.

A crisis doesn't change who we are, it reveals who we are.

I thought, as a country, we were doing really good right after 9-11.

Then eventually we went back to who we are.

I feel better about America when I turn off the news. Let’s face it, the a-holes make for better ratings. I believe that the vast majority are fundamentally good, honest, hardworking people who just want to make the best life possible for themselves and their families.

+1

And let's not forget the truckers and the countless other real heroes that are out there doing their job.

Best thing about this ordeal for me is that Hollywood and sports people are truly non-essential. But when this is over, they will continue to make millions and the true heroes will be doing what they do without fanfare, recognition or true appreciation to who they are.

+1
Very true.

Well said.

Here in a non-metropolitan area (between Milwaukee and Green Bay, WI) the divide looks a little different. Fortunately, there are a good number who are out to “do their best”. The other “half” here is not necessarily out to harm or capitalize - rather, they tend to be clueless. I am fortunate - have been able to keep working, so I am at our facility daily (and mostly sequestered in my office). We manufacture hygiene production equipment and we have a TON of PPE related business. We have some N95 respirator assets hitting the ground in June, roughly 1/3 of our typical lead time.
I digress...
Wife and kids are doing a great job with the shelter in place thing.
Yesterday, our governor extended the order for another 6wks here in WI.

My wife goes to the grocery store and catches other errands 1x to maybe 2x/week.
Amazing how CLUELESS the general population is here. Little regard for personal space, low incidence of wearing PPE, and a lot of unnecessary wandering around (for the fun of it, apparently). While none of this behavior is intended to be bad, the result could be unnecessary spread of this virus. My fear is that non-urban areas such as ours are complacent because the initial cases were fairly few and far between. I’m afraid that the virus will take advantage and enjoy a “late” bump in places like this.

So - unintentional harm really is no better than intentional harm. I hope enough people remain vigilant so that the curve retracts.

Stay safe and stay vigilant everybody.

Ground excursions by the limited protagonists in the command center were rare.
(and the bulk of the ship's crew was not shown).

The new characters encountered were usually the evil enemy or living in an authoritarian dystopian environment to be 'saved' and modified.
The Enterprise seemed to find or create trouble wherever it went.

We didn't watch the same Star Trek tv shows.
(4 or 5 versions)

Curious why you would categorize the Michigan folks in that last group. Maybe there are four Americas.

Because everyone I know and hear and read about is doing their part to make this as painless as possible, sacrificing and following guidelines created by doctors and scientists. The protesters are the opposite. They are outcasts that don't belong in a civil society in the same way profiteers and scam artists don't.

Certainly one way to look at it. Could also be looked at through the lens of they're the only ones who truly cherish the virtues this country was founded on.

I would like to comment but this is not PARF.

And I always thought there were three Americas...damn public school educashaun I reckon....

Agreed, it's just more difficult to cherish those virtues when you are dead.

Sacrificing for the greater good is both patriotic and altruistic. Sometimes it's not all about you but all about everyone around you.

All I know is I don't want to be wearing a red shirt.

Making reasonable sacrifices (or even great ones for a moment in time) for the greater good is both patriotic and altruistic, yes; however, when it's the government "telling" you to make these sacrifices as opposed to "asking" or you just doing it voluntarily, is where lines start getting blurred.