When Fate Rests on Resources… Can Only the Rich can Survive?

“The quintessentially American experience of having your fate… rest solely on what you can afford to buy.”

The above quote came from a social media meme where people were sharing their frustration that as we enter a 3rd year of pandemic, in addition to collective fear, exhaustion, confusion, frustration, we are again hearing we need better masks, better tests, to go to work ill or keep our kids home… all things that are based on privilege, availability and accessibility of resources.

The average N95 mask and COVID home tests will easily cost you $20, $40, $50… and we must have enough for the whole family, for regular use.

There are no stimulus checks coming, the child care tax has been cut. Unemployment was cut back. The benefits have ended and yet Corona virus still rages, some cities and states, like Texas, experiencing record outbreak and hospitalization rates.

People are sick, tired, dying and as always, BIPOC and marginalized communities are at the most risk.

The fact that we live in a rich state, in a rich country and yet health care, quality food and basic pandemic necessities like masks and test are not provided freely and abundantly is ridiculous and devastating.

Add on the usual winter challenges like colds, flus, freezing temps, snow and more and we face another season of unnecessary death, illness, violence and loss.

We have said from the beginning there is more than one pandemic rearing its ugly hateful head- in addition to COVID, we have systemic racism, oppression, greed and privilege all continuing to spread like wild fire, each variant more demanding than the other.

We need to take care of each other.

But where can we start when the most powerful are unwilling to share the simplest comforts?