Camp Meeker Beat by Tom Austin - May 2020
Well, that’s been a month I will remember. I know this has happened before, but not in my lifetime. The Spanish Flu killed 2.5 percent of the world’s population in 1918. That would be two hundred million people today. We’re not there yet, so count yourself lucky. We’re not going to get there ever, because we have learned a thing or three since 1918: modern medicine, instantaneous communication over any distance. I know that is cold comfort: it is a very unsettling brain stem sensation to realize that, however temporarily, you are not at the top of the food chain. To a virus, humans are slow, stupid prey animals, and this virus is having itself a feast. Too bad for old COVID 19 that humans are not stupid. Slow maybe, but not stupid. We will harden ourselves by boosting our immune systems, and we will fight. We will disrupt the enemy supply lines and make it jump to its death trying to bridge the long, lonely gap between suddenly wary humans. We will study its weaknesses by suborning members of this zombie virus “species” and having them teach our antibodies what to look for. And soon enough, we will have our foot on our enemy’s throat, and we will be merciless.
This language may make you uncomfortable. I get that. I suspect you are already uncomfortable, especially in the neo-hippie enclave that Camp Meeker can be. We are, as a group, much more inclined to loving and accepting and supporting, and tend to be repelled by talk of war and killing. But hear me out here: all the war propaganda you’ve ever been exposed to applies here, and applies exactly: this time we really ARE facing a mindless, soulless murdering machine, that will eat your lungs to feed its young, which will then repeat the process on your neighbor. This enemy must be exterminated, and I say that with no hyperbole whatsoever. So screw your courage to the sticking post, and do what needs to be done. For yourself, for your grandmother, for all of us.
That is not to say that the peace and love talk is worthless in this war; oh no, gentle reader, never in life. Love is never more needed than now. I picked up some fish and chips last night fromCape Fear. They were working hard, and did not look like they were having fun. I’ve seen this in the faces of everyone I have come across out in the world. They would love to be sitting at home by the fireplace complaining of cabin fever. LOVE it. So when you’re out there getting your fish and chips or your gas or your chamomile tea, when you get frustrated that the store is out of what you need, and your mask is reflecting your own warmed-over breath back to you and everything costs too much and you don’t know when your money is going to run out and you’re ready to scream at someone…remember that when this tense, exhausting twenty minutes is over for you…you get to go home. They get to stay there and repeat that tense, exhausting twenty minutes over and over and over again, all day, then get up and do it again tomorrow.
So be nice. Give them some love. If you’re in a position where you have a little extra, throw it in the tip jar. Wherever you are, find someone who is coming up a little short – you won’t have to look very far, I promise – and tide them on over. Give them the best of you. They are your fellow soldiers in this battle.
All right. I’ve hectored you enough for one day. You’re a soldier too. When you’ve had enough of the world, it’s okay to let go. Give yourself permission to stop for the day. Put your feet up, have a hot chocolate, watch some reruns of Barney Miller. Or whatever brings you comfort. When you relax, relax totally. Get your rest. We’ll need you tomorrow.
We will get through this, and we will be stronger as a result.
