Category: Seeking Common Ground

https://newslit.org/

Before you go on, an article in the May 8 & May 22, 2021 issue of Science News ran with a cover "Awash in Deception:  How science can help us avoid being duped by misinformation."  In the lead article titled: "The Battle Against Fake News," Alexandra Witze presents five suggestions on how to debunk bad information.  They come from the News Literacy Project (see the above link).

How to Debunk:

1.  Arm yourself with media literacy skills, at sites such as the News Literacy Project (newslit.org), to better understand how to spot hoax videos and stories.

2.  Don't stigmatize people for holding inaccurate beliefs.  Show empathy and respect, or you're more likely to alienate your audience than successfully share accurate information.

3.  Translate complicated but true ideas into simple messages that are easy to grasp.  Videos, graphics and other visual aids can help.

4.  When possible, once you provide a factual alternative to the misinformation, explain the underlying fallacies (such as cherry- picking information, a common tactic of climate change deniers.

5.  Mobilize when you see misinformation being shared on social media as soon as possible. If you see something, say something.

"Misinformation is any information that is incorrect, whether due to error or fake news.  

"Disinformation is deliberately intended to deceive."

"Propaganda is disinformation with a political agenda."

Sander van der Linden
Social Psychologist
University of Cambridge

Source:  Science News/May 8, 2021 & May 22, 2021

While my wife Meredy navigates the care and transition of her aunt, mother and father, I stroll merely along with the occasional blog post, middle school track coaching and even the luxury of an every-other-week-or-so golf game, she is the ever on call care giver/organizer/planner.

Just now, she was called by a paramedic at Belmont Gardens to sign off that a trip to the hospital for her Mom was unnecessary. She had taken two falls out of bed over the course of the evening and they suspected that she had hit her head. But, she was currently sitting up and playing her ukulele. So, Meredy got dressed, hopped in the car and drove five minutes over to Belmont to sign a waiver saying that Barby had been offered the cursury trip to the hospital to get checked out by a doctor, but no thanks. Considering that her POLST form has a “do not resuscitate ” provision in it, there isn’t much that the doctor or the hospital could do to provide care.

This is her world right now. Our neighbor and friend suggested a few months ago that we hire an agency that specializes in elder care to help with the myriad of doctor contacts, coordination of care at Belmont and the dozens of decisions being made each day for Barby and her husband Carl, Meredy’s Dad. That has been a Godsend.

Meredy is ever the problem solver, but the range, scope and sheer number of problems was becoming overwhelming even for her. Thank goodness for SAGE and Craig.

I started with the intention of using my experience as a golfer (hacker?) as a metaphor for life. One day you feel like you’ve got the game figured out and the next time you play like you’ve never had a club in your hand. Such was the story with my game yesterday.

I’m a person that believes that everything is connected in all facets of humanity and nature and that even shooting a 104 on the golf course has meaning in the greater sphere of the human experience.

We will never have anything totally figured out as my golf game clearly exemplifies. Yet, just because we are destined to not “figure it out,” we need to be willing to share our ongoing attempts to “f.i.o.” and hope that in so doing that we can reach out and touch each other in the tenderest and sincerest of ways. The world comes down to simply that.

https://newslit.org/

Before you go on, an article in the May 8 & May 22, 2021 issue of Science News ran with a cover "Awash in Deception:  How science can help us avoid being duped by misinformation."  In the lead article titled: "The Battle Against Fake News," Alexandra Witze presents five suggestions on how to debunk bad information.  They come from the News Literacy Project (see the above link).

How to Debunk:

1.  Arm yourself with media literacy skills, at sites such as the News Literacy Project (newslit.org), to better understand how to spot hoax videos and stories.

2.  Don't stigmatize people for holding inaccurate beliefs.  Show empathy and respect, or you're more likely to alienate your audience than successfully share accurate information.

3.  Translate complicated but true ideas into simple messages that are easy to grasp.  Videos, graphics and other visual aids can help.

4.  When possible, once you provide a factual alternative to the misinformation, explain the underlying fallacies (such as cherry- picking information, a common tactic of climate change deniers.

5.  Mobilize when you see misinformation being shared on social media as soon as possible. If you see something, say something.

"Misinformation is any information that is incorrect, whether due to error or fake news.  

"Disinformation is deliberately intended to deceive."

"Propaganda is disinformation with a political agenda."

Sander van der Linden
Social Psychologist
University of Cambridge

Source:  Science News/May 8, 2021 & May 22, 2021

https://singingcyclistmusings.com/?cat=10

As a writer, I view life in two ways.

One. You write about life.

Two. You live life.

The past three plus months have been largely focused on being support staff for my wife as she coordinates and provides care for her 98 year old Mom and Dad and her 93 year old aunt. Her parents live in Assisted Living that is a 10 minute walk away. That’s a positive in that it is easier to provide the necessary care. That’s a negative in that it’s easier to provide the necessary care. Like I said, I’m support staff.

Which means that writing has taken a backseat to life. I’m writing today with one hand as the other hand is attached to an arm that is donating platelets into an Apheresis machine at the Stanford Blood Center. There’s not. much much else I can do at the moment!. My mobility is somewhat limited.

My thought/writing project in recent months has been to write down my beliefs and then seek to rationally justify or defend each one of my nine stated beliefs. I’m still thinking and researching semi-actively, but not writing very much. I’m learning that this project requires more depth of thought and research than I expected.

So, I have put that writing on the back-burner.

What I can’t seem to put on the back-burner is my concern for Democracy and my country. When I started this blog, I wrote a 20-part series based on Dr. Timothy Snyder’s book, “On Tyranny.”

Since Democracy and it’s institutions have been figuratively and sometimes literally in the crosshairs of actual and would-be tyrants since at least 2016, I have been fixated on identifying and sharing my thoughts on the subject here in this blog.

This subject has been , after my family, Priority 1 since 2016. Because it remains a high , if not the highest priority for me right now, I put the 20 posts into a folder or category for you to revisit and linked it in the small shaded block above.

I too am going back to read my own work in order to remind myself how tenuous and how important Democracy is. I urge you to read my posts or read “On Tyranny for yourself.

Peace.

https://newslit.org/

Before you go on, an article in the May 8 & May 22 issue of Science News ran with a cover "Awash in Deception:  How science can help us avoid being duped by misinformation."  In the lead article titled: "The Battle Against Fake News," Alexandra Witze presents five suggestions on how to debunk bad information.  They come from the News Literacy Project (see the above link).

How to Debunk:

1.  Arm yourself with media literacy skills, at sites such as the News Literacy Project (newslit.org), to better understand how to spot hoax videos and stories.

2.  Don't stigmatize people for holding inaccurate beliefs.  Show empathy and respect, or you're more likely to alienate your audience than successfully share accurate information.

3.  Translate complicated but true ideas into simple messages that are easy to grasp.  Videos, graphics and other visual aids can help.

4.  When possible, once you provide a factual alternative to the misinformation, explain the underlying fallacies (such as cherry- picking information, a common tactic of climate change deniers.

5.  Mobilize when you see misinformation being shared on social media as soon as possible. If you see something, say something.

"Misinformation is any information that is incorrect, whether due to error or fake news.  

"Disinformation is deliberately intended to deceive."

"Propaganda is disinformation with a political agenda."

Sander van der Linden
Social Psychologist
University of Cambridge

Source:  Science News/May 8, 2021 & May 22, 2021

This belief is proving to be surprisingly nuanced in my attempt to rationally defend it in a persuasive way. I’m wrestling with the idea of “best interest.” Who gets to decide what the best interest is?

"In egocentrism, you're unable to see someone else's point of view; but in narcissism, you may see that view but not care about it. Going even one step further, people high in narcissism become annoyed or even enraged when others fail to see things their way."  

Source:  Apr 7, 2012/Psychology Today.

It’s not enough to label someone as simple selfless or selfish. Someone who is egocentric can also exhibit qualities of empathy when given the opportunity. One the other hand, a narcissist knows full well what they are doing and continue to do it anyway. According to the Cleveland Clinic about 5% of all people have what is known as Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).

By the Cleveland Clinic’s numbers, 95% of us are capable of at least some degree of empathic behavior. The main question then is , if we are capable of thinking of others, is it a good thing to be good to each other?

"However, recent studies show that caring for others is good for us. It's beneficial to our well-being. Giving support to others out of choice leads to “reduced stress, increased happiness, and an increased sense of social connectedness.”  Jan 21, 2019/World Economic Forum Agenda.

Since choosing giving to others leads to “reduced stress, increased happiness and an increased sense of social connectedness,” I conclude that acting in the best interest of each other is a valid and supportable belief. Furthermore, we should all do it and be quick to point it out when they see anything short of it happening in their own lives.

https://newslit.org/

Before you go on, an article in the May 8 & May 22 issue of Science News ran with a cover "Awash in Deception:  How science can help us avoid being duped by misinformation."  In the lead article titled: "The Battle Against Fake News," Alexandra Witze presents five suggestions on how to debunk bad information.  They come from the News Literacy Project (see the above link).

How to Debunk:

1.  Arm yourself with media literacy skills, at sites such as the News Literacy Project (newslit.org), to better understand how to spot hoax videos and stories.

2.  Don't stigmatize people for holding inaccurate beliefs.  Show empathy and respect, or you're more likely to alienate your audience than successfully share accurate information.

3.  Translate complicated but true ideas into simple messages that are easy to grasp.  Videos, graphics and other visual aids can help.

4.  When possible, once you provide a factual alternative to the misinformation, explain the underlying fallacies (such as cherry- picking information, a common tactic of climate change deniers.

5.  Mobilize when you see misinformation being shared on social media as soon as possible. If you see something, say something.

"Misinformation is any information that is incorrect, whether due to error or fake news.  

"Disinformation is deliberately intended to deceive."

"Propaganda is disinformation with a political agenda."

Sander van der Linden
Social Psychologist
University of Cambridge

Source:  Science News/May 8, 2021 & May 22, 2021

Here is what is surely only the beginning of my personal theology or for the less religious or atheists among you, my stab at answering those ethereal questions: Who am I, Why am I here and Where the hell am I going.

_______________________________________________

What I Believe

I believe that all people regardless of race, intelligence, religion, age or anything else that other humans may create to try and divide them, are created equally in the eyes of the divine.

I believe that the divine is the sum of all souls and matter that are or that have ever lived or been a part of the Universe or the Multiverse that currently exists or has ever existed.

I believe that it is the responsibility of each individual being to think and act in the best interest of each other being, human or otherwise.

I believe that there is good and evil and I choose the side of good.  I acknowledge that there is evil in me, but it is my work to feed the side of goodness.

I believe that my small existence has a greater purpose than I can comprehend.

I believe in living my life in service to other beings, living and non-living.  It is through that service and thoughtfulness that makes me whole and is my path to personal enlightenment.

I believe that when our bodies die, our souls live on.  They find another body to reside in and continue on the path toward enlightenment.

I believe that “human” is a title that needs to be earned.  Just by virtue of being a member of the species Homo sapiens doesn’t automatically designate that person as being a human being. There are no “bad” human beings.

I believe in acknowledging my own weaknesses and frailties and in using them to become a better human being.

I believe that the mind of every individual should be developed to the highest and greatest possible level

ttps://newslit.org/

Before you go on, an article in the May 8 & May 22 issue of Science News ran with a cover "Awash in Deception:  How science can help us avoid being duped by misinformation."  In the lead article titled: "The Battle Against Fake News," Alexandra Witze presents five suggestions on how to debunk bad information.  They come from the News Literacy Project (see the above link).

How to Debunk:

1.  Arm yourself with media literacy skills, at sites such as the News Literacy Project (newslit.org), to better understand how to spot hoax videos and stories.

2.  Don't stigmatize people for holding inaccurate beliefs.  Show empathy and respect, or you're more likely to alienate your audience than successfully share accurate information.

3.  Translate complicated but true ideas into simple messages that are easy to grasp.  Videos, graphics and other visual aids can help.

4.  When possible, once you provide a factual alternative to the misinformation, explain the underlying fallacies (such as cherry- picking information, a common tactic of climate change deniers.

5.  Mobilize when you see misinformation being shared on social media as soon as possible. If you see something, say something.

"Misinformation is any information that is incorrect, whether due to error or fake news.  

"Disinformation is deliberately intended to deceive."

"Propaganda is disinformation with a political agenda."

Sander van der Linden
Social Psychologist
University of Cambridge

Source:  Science News/May 8, 2021 & May 22, 2021

I was inspired to look for the source of the goodness in me through a workshop offered by our Interim Minister at the First Unitarian Church of San Jose, California.

The workshop was an invitation to write a personal theology. Theology can be defined as “the study of the nature of God and religious belief.” I committed to myself and anyone who gives a rip that I was going to heed the call and embark on the hard work of basically explaining why I am motivated to do good things in the world.

This is important to me in that clearly goodness is something that doesn’t just automatically happen. The flip side of goodness is on the approximately 2,000,000,000 inch 3D TV screen that is the world we live in today.

So, being able to explain the source of my personal goodness will give me some insight into what goodness is and how to spread it. Clearly I believe that goodness should be spread and have a pretty clear idea of what that goodness looks like.

In the midst of my quest to assemble this personal theology, my wife and I moved her 96 and 97 year old parents into a nearby Assisted Living facility. That act of goodness has taken precedence over writing about goodness while we actually do goodness. My personal theology would have to wait.

But, maybe it wouldn’t have to wait. I thought that I would dip my toe into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for a sneak peak at what this theology of mine might look like.

So, I went to the Internet and found Chat GPT. I wrote two prompts to see what AI would do with this topic. The first prompt was: “Write a personal UU (Unitarian Universalist) theology for Bruce Halen.”

The results were not surprising to me. When I actually get around to writing my own Goodness Statement I will incorporate some of the wording that the machine came up with.

The real Personal Theology for Bruce Halen will be real and human and better than the examples that Chat GPT gave me. But, as a bit of entertainment written for a Blog post, I give you the machine’s words on the source of my goodness.

_________________________________________

As a language model developed by OpenAI, I don’t have personal beliefs. However, here is a possible personal theology based on the principles of Universalism, a belief that all people will ultimately be saved and reconciled with God, for a person named Bruce Halen:

Bruce Halen believes in a loving and all-encompassing God who desires the ultimate happiness and well-being of all people, regardless of their beliefs or actions. He sees the universe as a continuously unfolding process of growth, learning, and redemption, in which every person has the potential to develop into the best version of themselves and be reunited with God.

Bruce understands sin not as something that separates us from God, but as a manifestation of our ignorance, fear, and confusion, which can be overcome through self-reflection, self-discovery, and spiritual growth. He believes that everyone has the potential to overcome their limitations and evolve into beings of light and love, through a journey of personal transformation and spiritual awakening.

Bruce recognizes that this journey is not easy, and that each person may face challenges and hardships along the way. However, he sees these difficulties as opportunities for growth and learning, and as a way for people to develop the strength and resilience needed to overcome their limitations and become the best versions of themselves.

Bruce’s theology is centered around the idea of love and compassion, and he sees these values as the foundation of all spiritual growth and personal transformation. He believes that by living a life guided by love and compassion, we can help to bring about a world in which all people are treated with dignity and respect, and where everyone can experience the joy and fulfillment of a life lived in harmony with God and each other.

Top of Form

Chat GPT response to prompt:  Write a personal UU theology for Bruce Halen

Bottom of Form

As an AI language model, I don’t have personal beliefs. However, I can write a Unitarian Universalist theology for Bruce Halen based on the principles and values of the Unitarian Universalist faith.

Bruce Halen’s Unitarian Universalist theology is centered on the belief that every person has inherent worth and dignity, and that all people should be treated with respect and compassion. He believes in the power of love and connection to bring people together and create a better world.

Bruce recognizes the inherent interconnectedness of all things and seeks to live in harmony with the natural world. He views the universe as a complex and mysterious system, and believes that all religions and spiritual traditions offer valuable insights into the meaning and purpose of life.

Bruce embraces a non-creedal approach to spirituality, valuing personal experience and intuition over dogmatic adherence to a particular set of beliefs. He believes that the search for truth and understanding is a lifelong journey, and that each person must find their own path.

In his daily life, Bruce seeks to live out his UU principles by acting with kindness and fairness, working for social justice, and protecting the environment. He recognizes the importance of community and the role it plays in supporting and enriching the lives of individuals.

Overall, Bruce’s UU theology is one of love, compassion, respect, and continual growth and discovery.

Top of Form

As an AI language model, I cannot create a personal theology for an individual as religious beliefs are deeply personal and shaped by a multitude of experiences and individual perspectives. However, I can provide some information on Unitarian Universalism (UU) as a religious tradition.

UU is a liberal religion that emphasizes individual spiritual growth and the search for truth and meaning through personal experience, reason, and intuition. UUs believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person and the interconnectedness of all life. The tradition is inclusive and encourages individuals to explore their own spirituality without dogma or creed. UUs often draw from a variety of religious and philosophical sources, including but not limited to Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, humanism, and earth-centered spirituality.

In UU, there is a focus on social justice and taking action to create a more just and equitable world. Members are encouraged to work towards equality and the elimination of oppression in all its forms.

In summary, UU provides a framework for individuals to explore their own spirituality and beliefs while also emphasizing the importance of social justice and the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

Regenerate response

ChatGPT Jan 30 Version. Free Research Preview. Our goal is to make AI systems more natural and safe to interact with. Your feedback will help us improve.

https://newslit.org/

Before you go on, an article in the May 8 & May 22 issue of Science News ran with a cover "Awash in Deception:  How science can help us avoid being duped by misinformation."  In the lead article titled: "The Battle Against Fake News," Alexandra Witze presents five suggestions on how to debunk bad information.  They come from the News Literacy Project (see the above link).

How to Debunk:

1.  Arm yourself with media literacy skills, at sites such as the News Literacy Project (newslit.org), to better understand how to spot hoax videos and stories.

2.  Don't stigmatize people for holding inaccurate beliefs.  Show empathy and respect, or you're more likely to alienate your audience than successfully share accurate information.

3.  Translate complicated but true ideas into simple messages that are easy to grasp.  Videos, graphics and other visual aids can help.

4.  When possible, once you provide a factual alternative to the misinformation, explain the underlying fallacies (such as cherry- picking information, a common tactic of climate change deniers.

5.  Mobilize when you see misinformation being shared on social media as soon as possible. If you see something, say something.

"Misinformation is any information that is incorrect, whether due to error or fake news.  

"Disinformation is deliberately intended to deceive."

"Propaganda is disinformation with a political agenda."

Sander van der Linden
Social Psychologist
University of Cambridge

Source:  Science News/May 8, 2021 & May 22, 2021

This Blog space will be empty for a time (a few weeks or so) while I change my writing focus to a systematic look at my own belief system. Due to the nature of these fascinating, troublesome and challenging times, my writing has taken on the self appointed role of “Flashlight on Fascism.”

It has been focused on the dark side of things going on in the world. It’s time to look at the lit side, the lighted side, the positive side or the good side. I am inspired to systematically write down why I believe what I believe. In so doing, I can restore balance in my own soul and contribute to strengthening my mental health which is generally sound but is in need of some focused attention.

My inspiration for this is a Workshop class offered by the Interim Senior Minister at the First Unitarian Church of San Jose on on the subject of “Systematic Theology.” For the non-religious thinkers among you, this basically means a self examination of what I believe and why I believe it.

The timing of this course is perfect for me. By digging in on myself and getting to the core of my belief system, I will better prepare myself for interactions and conversations that I will have with people of different beliefs.

When I get back, I’ll share with you what I’ve dug up and we’ll re-plant it together and see what comes up!

In the meantime, be vigilant, be active and be positive!

Bruce

https://newslit.org/

Before you go on, an article in the May 8 & May 22 issue of Science News ran with a cover "Awash in Deception:  How science can help us avoid being duped by misinformation."  In the lead article titled: "The Battle Against Fake News," Alexandra Witze presents five suggestions on how to debunk bad information.  They come from the News Literacy Project (see the above link).

How to Debunk:

1.  Arm yourself with media literacy skills, at sites such as the News Literacy Project (newslit.org), to better understand how to spot hoax videos and stories.

2.  Don't stigmatize people for holding inaccurate beliefs.  Show empathy and respect, or you're more likely to alienate your audience than successfully share accurate information.

3.  Translate complicated but true ideas into simple messages that are easy to grasp.  Videos, graphics and other visual aids can help.

4.  When possible, once you provide a factual alternative to the misinformation, explain the underlying fallacies (such as cherry- picking information, a common tactic of climate change deniers.

5.  Mobilize when you see misinformation being shared on social media as soon as possible. If you see something, say something.

"Misinformation is any information that is incorrect, whether due to error or fake news.  

"Disinformation is deliberately intended to deceive."

"Propaganda is disinformation with a political agenda."

Sander van der Linden
Social Psychologist
University of Cambridge

Source:  Science News/May 8, 2021 & May 22, 2021

If you want to stand by and stand for M.A.G.A. , stand for this version: Make America Great for All. This is the only M.A.G.A. The other version held up as the guiding darkness of the Radical, Racist, Repulsive Right Wing of the Republican Party is untrue, unjust, Unamerican and unacceptable.

The history of racism in the U.S.A. is well documented and yet it remains largely unaddressed. Until it is addressed, we will continue to be susceptible to White Nationalist Fascist movements like the one we are experiencing right now. The systematic devaluation of darker skinned Americans must end and it must end on our watch.

How will it end? Here are some suggestions from the United Nations. I personally attempt to address it as a white ally with a small blog and standing with my Unitarian Universalist brethren to keep systemic White Nationalist-based racism in the forefront of the American psyche.

Jackie Robinson, Barack Obama and Martin Luther King stand tall in our American quest for greatness.

Where do you stand?

https://newslit.org/

Before you go on, an article in the May 8 & May 22 issue of Science News ran with a cover "Awash in Deception:  How science can help us avoid being duped by misinformation."  In the lead article titled: "The Battle Against Fake News," Alexandra Witze presents five suggestions on how to debunk bad information.  They come from the News Literacy Project (see the above link).

How to Debunk:

1.  Arm yourself with media literacy skills, at sites such as the News Literacy Project (newslit.org), to better understand how to spot hoax videos and stories.

2.  Don't stigmatize people for holding inaccurate beliefs.  Show empathy and respect, or you're more likely to alienate your audience than successfully share accurate information.

3.  Translate complicated but true ideas into simple messages that are easy to grasp.  Videos, graphics and other visual aids can help.

4.  When possible, once you provide a factual alternative to the misinformation, explain the underlying fallacies (such as cherry- picking information, a common tactic of climate change deniers.

5.  Mobilize when you see misinformation being shared on social media as soon as possible. If you see something, say something.

"Misinformation is any information that is incorrect, whether due to error or fake news.  

"Disinformation is deliberately intended to deceive."

"Propaganda is disinformation with a political agenda."

Sander van der Linden
Social Psychologist
University of Cambridge

Source:  Science News/May 8, 2021 & May 22, 2021

March 12, 2020: If you are or were a teacher on this date, you will remember it with a great sense of mixed feelings. Most of us didn’t really know about COVID yet. We were told by the governor through our school administrators that we would not be teaching in our classrooms for at least the next two weeks. Great vacation, right?

After that first week or there about, we got word that we would be teaching remotely. It came to be known as “Distance Learning.” In retrospect, it was a sincere attempt at “Distance Teaching,” but to call it “Distance Learning” was presumptively over optimistic and badly misnamed from the perspective of students.

We did the best we could for the remaining 2 1/2 months of school. Little did I know at the time that I would not be setting foot in my classroom again as a full time middle school educator. I am grateful for those 2 1/2 months and the technical expertise that I developed during that time and the years immediately preceding my retirement. It has prepared me for my return to the classroom as a Substitute or Guest Teacher and my future as an educator.

I mention these things because after 983 days of COVID freedom, an Antarctic cruise, nearly 20,000 airline miles and 51 days of Guest teaching, the blasted little mass of infectious, viral proteins known as COVID, finally got me. Nearly three years of not only being COVID free, but from being illness free. The masking, the hand washing, the social distancing. It all worked.

If it hadn’t been for my own frontal lobe deficiency on December 9, 2022 at a Christmas Concert, I WOULD STILL BE ILLNESS FREE.

Why did I just put that in caps? Actually, it was an accident. But, as it turns out it was appropriate for me to emphasize that point in print with ALL CAPS! Dr. Fauci, the CDC and all of those nagging public health officials were RIGHT ALL ALONG about masking, hand washing, social distancing and, yes, even about vaccination.

I got COVID because I made a wrong decision about masking in my role as a Master of Ceremonies for a Christmas concert in December 2022. The experts were right, the scientists were right, the public health officials. They were all right. They have been right all along. Read about COVID fatigue in Science News.

I’m going to be ok. I had moderate cold-like symptoms for four days and I knocked COVID back on its little viral suction cups by taking Paxlovid. If this had not been the holiday season and if I were not going to be around people who were immunocompromised, I likely would have chosen not to medicate. Medicating seemed the prudent thing to do.

Coincidentally, these COVID statistics are dated December 9, 2022, the day that I was most likely exposed to the COVID virus. Up to that day, there had been 101,000,000 cases in the United States, 183,000,00 cases in the Americas and 1,109,394 deaths.

Over ONE MILLION DEAD AMERICANS. Wherever you stand on mask wearing, personal vaccination or precious individual and civil rights and liberties, that number is grotesquely higher than it should have been. I personally blame the gurus of disinformation and propaganda for a very large percentage of those victims. They did not have to be victims. You know some of them and so do I.

If I sound a little angry here, it’s because I am angry. I’m NOT angry at the fact that I got sick. I am angry that I put many innocent and vulnerable people at risk because I made a bad decision on a December night in 2022.

Bottom line? Trust the experts. Follow the tools that I started the blog with and look at the news sources that you have chosen to believe with a critical and rational eye and brain. Teach your loved ones to do the same. Ignorance is not an excuse. Be critical, be smart, be safe and take care of the people you love.

Have a happy and safe holiday season.

Bruce