The day didn’t start well—or at least started early, when
Sophie decided she had to go out at 6:15. I managed to lure her back into the cottage—the
magic of a tiny piece of Velveeta—and go back to bed until about eight. Ignored
her when she exploded in barks around 7:15.
Once I was up and going, the day didn’t look
much brighter. Maybe because I checked MSNBC and got the latest news. Between
the panic over COVID-19 and baseless speculation about the outcome of
tomorrow’s Super Tuesday voting, I had a real urge to crawl back to bed.
Last
night I watched a tape of “Mayor Pete’s” concession speech. Eloquent,
articulate, delivered with passion and grace. It made me aware that I’ve sort
of come to consciousness late in life. I certainly am paying more attention to
what’s happening to our country, to the people running it and those who want to
run it. Maybe the madness of trump forced me to this position, though Christian
will tell you I’ve always been far left in my politics. I don’t know how to
explain it, but I feel much more aware. Buttigieg moved me to a few random
tears last night—would that have happened twenty years ago? I don’t know. Maybe
we all come to wisdom late.
We
talked a bit about tomorrow’s primary last night at supper, and later, watching
Buttigieg, I wished I had made a point to Jacob about being aware, being
conscious. Maybe at thirteen he’d just have said, “Yeah, Juju.”
As I
heard the vigorous applause and cheering last night, I sensed this was not
Mayor Pete’s last rodeo. And Biden said it in his graceful tribute—Buttigieg is
on the national stage now, and our nation will be better for it.
Then
in the middle of today comes news that Klobuchar is pulling out and endorsing
Biden. I haven’t seen her concession speech, though she was supposed to appear
tonight in Dallas onstage with Biden. But good for her, like Pete, for putting
the country before her personal ambition and doing what she thought would best
steer us in a new direction. I’m encouraged.
As for
the corona virus, I read today that one bookstore in China has an armed guard
at the door. Customers must wear a mask and present a certificate of health;
the guard takes their temperature. If all is well, they may enter and shop but
must stay several feet away from any other customer. When you see how serious
China is about this (admittedly late to the party), you do think maybe some of
the fear in this country is justified. Jordan pointed out tonight that almost
all people in China are heavy smokers—must make a difference.
Tonight
the mayor of San Antonio has declared a public health emergency. Swell, because
we’ve been so looking forward to a San Antonio getaway this weekend. Barring
something extraordinary, we’re still going. The mayor said the risk to ordinary
citizens is low. I suppose that means visitors too.
My
complaint or whatever about attempts to calm the populace is that commentators
almost always say it only kills those with already-compromised health and the
elderly. Hey, that’s me. I’m elderly! But I’m in good health.
Today,
like most of the country, we stocked up on hand sanitizers and, just in case of
quarantine, toilet paper. After all, if there’s no epidemic, we can always use
them, though I hate to be among those who empty the store shelves. On the other
hand, if the danger becomes real, I’ll be glad to be a recluse.
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