SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 123
Reactions to this whole
coronavirus thing range
from OK to frustrating. If
you have been busy doing
things around your home that you
had put off, then you are probably
surprised at how fast some of your
days disappear. If you feel as though
you are trapped in a prison or cage,
then your days take forever to pass.
Either way, we are in a unique
situation.
We are hoping for COVID-19 to
become a memory. While it’s proven that
wearing facemasks, social distancing and
frequently washing your hands are surefire
ways to stem the tide on the virus,
some people are not following these
simple concepts. Unfortunately, they are
not worrying about masks, distancing or
sanitizers, and the results can be deadly.
I sit in absolute disbelief that there are
those who hold COVID-19 parties in spite
of the health recommendations. It reminds
me of many years ago when moms used
to send children down the street to visit
a friend who had chickenpox or mumps
to intentionally contract those diseases in
order to acquire immunity. Those diseases
were different, and no one would take that
course of action today. However, anyone
who came through that era understood
what the moms were doing. This is clearly
different.
There has been an ongoing discussion
about “rights.” We have and should
treasure our rights. But we should also
remember that everyone has rights. One
of those rights is not to be infected with the
virus from those who are outright careless.
We are seeing that the virus attacks the
elderly the hardest, but that is not the
only group affected. Younger and younger
groups are being hit by it. The attacks may
not be as severe as with the elderly, but
that does not mean the results can’t be the
same. It can’t be worth the chance.
My wife and I tested negative early on,
but it did not mean that we were going to
behave like we could not get it. We have
been and will continue to wear masks,
keep social distancing, use gloves when
necessary, certainly wash our hands a lot
and use the sanitizer near our sink, in our
cars and in her purse.
I am rooting for large and small
businesses to get back up and
running. I want all those waiting
to get back to work. We are going
through the kind of time for which
Americans have been known to
pull together and work to beat
something that is attacking us in
order to come out stronger. We’ve
done it before, and there is no reason
to think we won’t do it this time
as well.
Meanwhile, be thankful you are
where you are and enjoy this beautiful area.
We are slowly starting to leave home to
enjoy a park, the new St. Petersburg Pier,
or other places. Even with this pandemic,
there are things to do and places to go, and
there will be more and more if everyone
does their part. Please wear a mask, social
distance and wash your hands to start. It’s
really simple. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: Dick Crippen, a staple
in Tampa Bay broadcasting for more than 40
years, is a senior adviser for the Tampa Bay
Rays, and works extensively with the military.
He is active in the world of charity fundraising
and sits on numerous boards for nonprofit
organizations.
COMMENTARY
PLEASE WEAR THE MASK
By Dick Crippen
Dick Crippen