I’ve been unhappy with my procrastination. I’m forcing myself to write this. I didn’t write yesterday. My therapist called me to cancel. I love therapy and need a session but part of me is happy as that means not having to fess up on the things I didn’t do. Notice that I’m not telling you what I didn’t do. That’s what brings up even more stress. Right now, I’m not reading an email because I think I waited too long to read it. It’s completely irrational. I’m rational enough to know that but my anxiety is winning at the moment. My brain is a battlefield. I’m not surprised if yours is too.
Trump has COVID-19, and this is going to launch many brain battles. I’ll let Nick Kristof take the lead.
That’s the heart of the battle. Nobody should wish anyone else to get ill but it’s hard to keep schadenfreude out of are feelings. I always preach kindness and forgiveness. I believe in kindness and forgiveness. That doesn’t mean these thoughts don’t enter my mind too. I have fantasized about Trump getting COVID-19 but I’ve never really wished it. When driving I picture drivers that cut me off getting into accidents, I picture annoying people on the subway getting their just desserts. I have imagined myself delivering those desserts, I’m talking a thrashing, not cupcakes. Our mind will go places of its own accord. We don’t have to be ashamed of these thoughts, but we don’t have to revel in them either. Imagine how you’d feel if Obama had gotten sick and people had celebrated that. What would you think of those people? Keep that thought in your head.
Many in Trump’s inner circle were exposed to the virus when he was. He hasn’t worn masks or taken precautions and neither have those around him so there will be other cases. Each of those people will give it to others. Remember the Maine wedding superspreader affair? It killed 7 people, none of whom were at the wedding. People that had no input in Trump’s policies will be infected, some might die. You can’t feel happy about that.
Even if it were just Trump and his inner circle I don’t want them to suffer physically. I’m not going to get pleasure from someone else’s pain. That’s sadism. I would like for them to reconsider their words and actions. I don’t think it too likely, but perhaps some will. It will probably have an adverse affect on Trump’s re-election; anything that reminds people of COVID-19 is bad or him. It makes him look foolish for not taking precautions. His campaign staff is worried about it. We are in new territory so we can’t say with any confidence what will happen. I see many people making idle speculations. There is no point to that. Don’t be so afraid of being made a fool of, that you say something foolish.
I have to actually go shopping today. That means posting this and making my breakfast. It’s a sausageeggandcheese day. That reminds me. Because I was sick I fasted on Yom Kippur! Not in the evening before, but all day on Monday. I missed my traditional bacon and eggs breakfast. I had that yesterday as atonement. I will continue to be a bad Jew and a good person. I know that the observant friends that I have think that makes me a good Jew. This is why we are friends. Don’t do unto others that which would be hurtful if they did it to you. That is all of morality; the rest is commentary. The bad Jew can paraphrase the great rabbi and be in total agreement with him.
Wise Madness 