A woman who came to the U.S. from a country that experienced Communism said, "No way am I going to take the vaccine. The government chips people."
She pantomimed a vaccination being performed that inserted a chip.
"Just like they know where you are all the time because you take your cell phone with you wherever you go," she said.
"If you're a criminal, a drug dealer, a sex trafficker, I could believe that the government might find a way to chip you and track you. Believe me, they don't care about people like us," I said.
"I'm not changing my mind.'
"I understand."
I couldn't help but think this woman is still effected by living under Communism.
I'm still exhausted and in withdrawal from four years of Trump administration chaos.
Though the reportage is that Californians are getting vaccinated enthusiastically, other people are telling me that they've had no luck getting local appointments, and those who do not drive and cannot drive to the big vaccination sites are trying to get in on websites to make appointments in the middle of the night. Some are going by to see if there are vaccinations left at the end if the day due to no shows. Locally is Ralphs, Walgreens, Vons, CVS, and Rite Aid.
In a few days it will be more competitive.
June 15 is the target date for everything open but frankly I don't think a feeling of normalcy will be immediate or soon after that. The stress of a year of fear has damaged our collective psyche. Not socializing in person has turned us into a nation of loners reevaluating our friendships. So much has been put on hold. As the schools open there may be rather empty classrooms - at least until mothers find new jobs and go back to work. I think there will be some sense of relief but mask wearing, social distancing, and hand sanitizing will go on and remind us we are not safe.
Smiles unseen.
Hugs withheld.
Inner conflict about hating to go back to work and having to.
The traffic being one of the worst experiences you didn't have to deal with.
More craziness.
There are people to be afraid of. People infected with evil.
I was surprised when a person I know who is highly involved at her Christian Church told me there is no Satan, no Devil, that evil exists in people.
Another person also involved in his Christian Church told me there was no reward or punishment.
I asked him why someone worships a God who just doesn't care (enough to reward or punish.)
All of this was a bit concerning but not upsetting. Maybe they're right.
What kept me up was hearing a report on YouTube by a well known Christian who talks End Times.
He talked about China and the way Christians were being persecuted.
He said the backed up container ships (i.e heading to American ports such as Port of Los Angeles) included Christian stowaways escaping Communism. "They've gone insane and are screaming."
I imagined the total darkness. Maybe you and a couple other people with flashlights, food, water, and a poop bucket, think you can deal with the dark for three weeks. Questionable air. Movement of the heavy ship. Metallic sounds or dense quiet. Knowing that on all sides, top and bottom, you're surrounded by containers. You don't know if it's day or night. You might have kept a calendar or a watch but you're not going to have a cell phone or radio that can get signals. Then, for whatever reason, the ship doesn't dock. No-one can tell you why. You wait, more trapped.
I think human cargo is a reality. As are people in the know. Paid to load the people. Unload people. There has to be. This isn't hobos finding an empty boxcar. It's not Jews shoved into trains headed for camps. It's weeks on the ocean.
It's illegal immigration.
It's refugees but also spies.
Try finding what you need and can afford Made in the U.S.A.
My friend decides not to buy China, searching a box of tinned cat food and finding no "made in" notification at all!
C 2021 Christine Trzyna
