In his commentary, he discussed the horror that is COVID-19 and he explained how he perceived that I might be taking it lightly. He wanted me to know that from his experience, it was truly horrific and required careful steps to hopefully stop it in its tracks. I read it carefully, and I could feel his pain and anguish as any of us might feel if someone close to us, friend or family, had suffered dreadfully before death. After reading it, I sat back and read it again, then pondered and then I prepared and sent a reply.
I thanked him for sending me his concerns and explained that I in no way felt that COVID-19 was truly a serious issue and, accordingly, we all must be careful and wary of it . But I also talked about the huge numbers of Americans who are also suffering, but not from COVID-19. These are the Americans who have not fallen ill, but still have obligations to themselves and their families that require a steady income. With so many having jobs suspended due to massive governmental restrictions and with no source of support without that income, they will, at some point if common sense isn't brought to bear, face the possibility of homelessness or slow starvation. There are many millions in this category and it makes clear that we can't close down the entire country for a disease that ultimately attacks a very small number of our three hundred and thirty million citizens. Imagine the disease, homelessness, hunger and huge numbers this will cause to suffer and for what. So, I thanked him for his comments and made a suggestion that maybe good men of differing views can sit down together and somehow find a way to create a plan that will address all requirements for both sides as one.
So, that brings me to the very heart of the matter mentioned in today's blog heading. We Americans are better than most. We have smarts, we can reason and we can work effectively at bringing our people back together. All it requires is a little less ideology, a lot more reason and kindness and a whole lot of common sense. Regardless of our views, be they Conservative, Liberal and so much in between, good people in a good society with great talent can certainly have the ability to both solve the COVID and keep America both prosperous and strong, And that, my friends, is my wish for America on this Labor Day. God bless you all and God bless America.