My purpose is not to recount the Lewis & Clark expedition of 1804 but I do want to draw from it. In March of that year, the Corps Of Discovery set out from St. Louis with over 40 men, up the Missouri River in long boats and afoot. Unlike Neil Armstrong and the Apollo 11 mission to the moon, Lewis & Clark knew nothing of what lay ahead. With a compass, sextant and chronometer (a good watch), their first order of travel was to create their own map. For a diverse collection of military and volunteer adventurers, the sense of duty and discipline would require rigid rules and unforgiving punishment. Most infractions drew 50 lashes.
With the Covid-19 expedition launched in March of 2020, I wonder where we are by comparison. By November, Lewis & Clark had made their way up the Missouri, north of what is now Bismarck, North Dakota where they built a fort to hunker down for the winter. It would be April, nearly 5 months later before they resumed their mission. We are looking at a year as well, through difficult, unfavorable conditions before a safe, effective vaccine will become available.
Wintering at Fort Mandan required essential workers, hunters in particular, to foray out but mostly the Corps quarantined, if you will, close to the fort. The Mandan Indians were settled peacefully for the winter just across the river. In November, 2020 with the virus in resurgence, people are going back to April protocols. Wash hands, distance, mask etc. but not everyone. With a recurring shortage of hospital beds, overstressed medical professionals and fatalities on the rise again, there are still “Hoax Merchants” who can not wean themselves off the Trump nipple. Between them and Generation Z, there is resistance and indifference sufficient to keep the virus alive, well and spreading.
In the end, The Corps Of Discovery spent 2.5 years in the wilderness. That’s about the same projected timespan experts predict before the pandemic’s new normal finds its natural fit. On our best day, human nature paints us with broad strokes and many colors. In this sea of humanity where people appear to be pretty much alike, there are many different personality types that all beg the same question: “When will everybody else learn that I know best? All they need to do is listen to me.” We all fall into that hole. In my hole, “That would be great.” is about expectation and aspiration. “Great again” infers that perfection is part of our resume and that reeks of self worship. Still, Monkey-see-monkey-do; and we do alright for high functioning primates.
With the Covid-19 expedition launched in March of 2020, I wonder where we are by comparison. By November, Lewis & Clark had made their way up the Missouri, north of what is now Bismarck, North Dakota where they built a fort to hunker down for the winter. It would be April, nearly 5 months later before they resumed their mission. We are looking at a year as well, through difficult, unfavorable conditions before a safe, effective vaccine will become available.
Wintering at Fort Mandan required essential workers, hunters in particular, to foray out but mostly the Corps quarantined, if you will, close to the fort. The Mandan Indians were settled peacefully for the winter just across the river. In November, 2020 with the virus in resurgence, people are going back to April protocols. Wash hands, distance, mask etc. but not everyone. With a recurring shortage of hospital beds, overstressed medical professionals and fatalities on the rise again, there are still “Hoax Merchants” who can not wean themselves off the Trump nipple. Between them and Generation Z, there is resistance and indifference sufficient to keep the virus alive, well and spreading.
In the end, The Corps Of Discovery spent 2.5 years in the wilderness. That’s about the same projected timespan experts predict before the pandemic’s new normal finds its natural fit. On our best day, human nature paints us with broad strokes and many colors. In this sea of humanity where people appear to be pretty much alike, there are many different personality types that all beg the same question: “When will everybody else learn that I know best? All they need to do is listen to me.” We all fall into that hole. In my hole, “That would be great.” is about expectation and aspiration. “Great again” infers that perfection is part of our resume and that reeks of self worship. Still, Monkey-see-monkey-do; and we do alright for high functioning primates.
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