I’m Wearing a Mask

Because I love myself and I love you

I see the call on the internet.

Recruiting folks upset at staying home.

To go march and join a militia.

That will go out and demand.

An end to anti-COVID-19 measures.

Hoping to revive the economy.

I have a medical condition.

So I must be careful.

My ex and child’s mother works caring.

For the elderly at a nursing home.

I assist with my son’s grandparents.

Who are in their late ‘70s.

I will assume that everyone is infected.

Since cases seem to continue to rise.

Because I don’t want to get people.

I love sick.

Or people my ex takes care of.

Sick. Because I love them too.

People like your parents and grandparents.

People like me and my relatives.

I understand wanting to earn money.

I wish there was some relief for the little.

Person who isn’t some fancy billionaire.

Who has a relationship with a bank.

That will give them a stimulus grant.

While most regular people wait.

For a paper check.

That might come.

Once the leader’s name is attached.

I am not ungrateful.

And say thanks for the effort.

But, we need something more.

Than just being sent into work.

With billionaires getting protections.

Against lawsuits if they.

Fail to protect their workers.

Because it will impact the bottom line.

And go against the edict.

Of our times.

Maximize profits.

At all costs.

Even if it means many humans die.

I heard on the news tonight.

Maybe a 9/11 will happen every day.

In our society. Not at the hands of terrorists.

But because of a virus.

That keeps spreading.

When people are working.

Side by side.

Slicing meat.

Ringing up groceries.

Not being tested.

Being told “no sick days.”

Being sacrificed for money.

Because old guys have decided.

Stock prices are more valuable.

Than human lives.

That people are expendable.

That people are commodities.

Not worth the cost of PPE.

Not worth trying to figure out.

A unified national strategy.

When greedy hands just think “me, me.”

And not about the community.

Not about the world they are leaving behind.

For their daughters and sons to inherit.

For our sons and daughter to inherit.

It is not unknown. Plagues have wiped out societies.

This situation has gone down in history.

I am optimistic.

At some point, people will change.

Like they did in the feudal days.

When we evolved into our current society.

We won’t devolve.

We will continue to grow.

We will fix our structural problems.

We will put people over excessive profits.

I’m not against earning.

And, doing well.

But, when it becomes a hording.

Illness. Where a few want to gather everything.

In anyway they can. At any cost.

Just like a mugger who kills.To steal a dollar.

Someone who will kill a worker.

For money.

Someone who will sacrifice cities and states.

On the altar of their false god — money.

Seeking something to fill the hole.

In their empty souls.

Hoping a million will do it.

But, discovering it won’t.

So hoping a trillion will make the difference.

But, discovering they are still empty.

Shells of humans.

Unable to feel.

Unable to empathize.

Just grabbing.

Like a dying person.

Hoping that another dollar.

Squeezed out of their fellow human.

Will make them feel less soulless.

And hollow.

Fortunately.

Love will win.

It says so in the Bible.

The book you distort.

And forget says to help the stranger.

And the other.

And the immigrant.

And everyone.

And to love.

And to love yourself.

You forget Jesus was offered.

Everything in the world.

By the Devil.

Just like you have been offered.

By the Devil

If you give him your soul.

Jesus said no.

To the Devil’s riches.

Jesus chose love.

He did not need riches.

He didn’t maximize profits.

He didn’t fly in private jets.

He didn’t kill his employees.

He didn’t cut off sick day pay.

He didn’t cause adverse incentives.

Making customers afraid.

To go to a business.

That has no liability.

If they decide to slack.

And kill their customers.

By spreading the virus.

I love you.

I hope your heart opens.

And, you feel human again.

That you realize fear and hording.

Is not a good way to live.

That it makes you grotesque.

And warped.

Greedy. Soulless. Hollow. Angry. Evil.

Turn your back on your greed.

And start loving yourself.

Really loving yourself.

So you can start to love others.

So that you can realize people are suffering.

That your pride will break a great nation.

That you will go down in history.

As the ones who exemplified the end of.

The American way.

When people around the world.

Turned to other nations.

For inspiration.

As they watched greed.

Kill a nation.

The same way.

A virus kills people.

When its top government officials encourage.

The spread. Of a virus. For a few dollars.

I pray for you.

Maybe you’ll feel love.

I hope you do.

I love you.

And, I love me.

And, my friends.

And everyone.

Try it.

Maybe it will change your life.

It’s not too late.

To do the right thing.

You don’t have to auger.

Into the earth.

Pull up.

Change the flight path.

Don’t run into the mountain.

We are flying right into.

If we don’t course correct.

You can still pull up.

Just do it.

Drop your pride.

Change course.

If only for your children.

Lots of love to everyone.

Love will win.

Wear masks to show your love.

🦄 Chris Hedges, BA, JD, is a writer and photographer. I am also the owner of Publication Spotlight and Unicorn Labs.