Says much about us

The current “war” with the pandemic in the United States has revealed a lot about the current state of our society. The disjointed, selfish way we as a nation have responded to this crisis is disturbing. In 1941, “the Greatest Generation” rallied, united, and shared the sacrifice necessary to persevere and overcome all obstacles to lead the world to peace.

Today, coronavirus deniers can’t even be bothered to wear a simple face covering in public, although the experts say that alone can greatly reduce the spread of the disease. Recently, several patrons of shops in Stillwater, Okla., threatened violence when store clerks tried to get them to comply with requirements for face masks. Out of fear for community safety, the mayor lifted the face-mask mandate. All the while, the number of U.S. virus deaths relentlessly lurches toward 100,000.

Similarly, what did the “militia” members of Michigan have in mind when they carried assault rifles outside and inside the state capital building during a recent anti-lockdown protest while the legislature was in session?

There has been a woeful vacuum of leadership on the national level. Our governors have struggled with varying levels of success to restrain the spread of the virus, while walking a political tightwire over self-serving crowds clamoring for an end to pesky restrictions on daily activities. Meanwhile, truly great groups of Americans — doctors, nurses, trash haulers, grocery workers, truckers, mail carriers, and many more — quietly continue daily to bravely soldier on. And on a larger stage, people in other nations shake their heads in bewilderment at America abandoning its role as the world’s leader in times of crisis.

As for me, with our current state of chaos, I’m counting on being in lockdown until sane, scientific, medical research results in a vaccine that proves effective in tamping down this scourge.

DAVID WILSON Fayetteville