June 28, 2020
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
I was halfway through tonight’s post with today’s quite ugly stories in it, and I just stopped, saved the file, and closed it. Enough is enough.
It can wait. The upcoming week is almost certainly going to be a rough one, and we’ve all earned a break.
The sun will come up again tomorrow.
[Photo by Buddy Poland.]
Dr. Richardson, so happy you called it a day! I can only speak for myself, but based on the fondness your readers have for you I would guess many will agree with me when I encourage you to play the long game. It’s unsustainable to continue to work seven days a week. Would you please consider adding one or two days of self-care *and* Buddy time into your schedule? We care about you. ❤️
I sit here in Cambodia, an 'ex patriot' American watching what is happening in my country, and my jaw just drops lower every day. In this little country that the US has condemned for decades they have managed to get everyone pulling in the same direction. They are limiting entry, insuring everyone who comes in is tested, and then undergoes quarantine at home even if they test positive. They banned the export of the most commonly used rice, insuring there would be no hoarding and constantly remind everyone to beware of Covid, distance themselves, and wear a mask in crowds.
No one is complaining. There are no lines in the stores. There are no shortages.
There is fear. A good part of this economy, especially where I live, is centered on tourism. I was here through the GFC in 2008/9 and it took the better part of 2 years to restore some semblance of order. This will be much worse, and a lot longer I fear.
BUT, people are working together. Our US charity funds several programs here, but the most critical now is a food distribution program for people who have lost their jobs. We've raised money from around the world, galvanized dozens of volunteers, Khmers and foreigners, to help repackage food and get it out to those in need. We work in harmony with the government: national, provincial, district, communal and village. We call it the TOGETHER Program because it is a lot of people working together to help their brethren.
There is no screaming. No one is chastised for wearing a mask. And everyone is helping each other.
Sorta what I would have expected from Americans. Now I am just embarassed.
Perhaps the world should step away from the US and find another way to handle the problems we have created for ourselves; all to often at the behest of American interests, not humane interests.
And I was an officer in the US Army.