The virus just might

 

Subject: The virus just might.

Do we have a pandemic or not. It depends on who you speak to. If it's a medic, it's a deadly virus which is particularly dangerous for some segments of the population. To others, those best described as carefree, the couldn't care less group of young 20 somethings who persist in discounting the fear of becoming ill, assuming it's the equivalent of catching flue  and continue to disregard the danger in their desire to go out and have fun!

The lifestyle they are used to and the support society has given them in asserting their right to do virtually whatever they wish, has filtered out into an assumption that consequences are for others.

This philosophy that actions don't have consequences is evident in the wide range of risky activities, including the use of drugs, and embarking on a life of single parenting as a choice, not something forced onto the individual by circumstance. As a member of an older generation I don't understand the assumptions people make these days it's as if what they do, or wish to do is a god given right.  

If I go back to when I was growing up in this country so many opportunities which are assumed these days were not available then. Holidays were spent within the confines of the country and invariably were simple and inexpensive. The assumption that you were owed a holiday on a sun blessed beach in some part of Southern Europe was for the well off and not for the likes of us. Of course the likes of us has expended to include so many more people and yet there are still large segments of society who can't afford these trips away. For them the accent is on the word 'afford' and sadly so many families who can't afford these holidays are still encouraged to spend money they can't afford, in part because it's expected of them both by their kids and the people in their social mix and part because we can't conceive a life where we evaluate our means and live accordingly. 

The idea that something isn't affordable dropped away with the invention of the credit card. Enjoy now and pay later was an anathema to my parents and the people I grew up with. Buying things second hand was normal and waiting until you could save up the money for the purchase was what my contemporaries did and were happy doing. Our mind set hadn't been corroded with adverts and the consumerism which blights us daily. We were happy living in our own skin as it were and envy for what the wealthy had was never evident in the friends I had.

So when I hear people winging about not being able to get away on a flight abroad it makes me wince. Grow up and smell the coffee (more appropriately, smell the beautiful aroma of fish and chips). Don't they know there's a war going on right amongst us. 

The enemy has no compassion and the narcissistic nature which so many of my fellow countrymen display is dreadful.

No holidays abroad, no eating out, using caution when mixing, no concerts or sporting events, non of this will kill us - but the virus just might.