I thought that Sandy Hook would be the worst thing I would witness...

[Moostache]

And today I see the threads about the Assisted Living Center in New Jersey and photos of the infected and assumed infected and I hear stories from all angles about how "America NEEDS to get back to work" and "Open for business" and "Controlled Infections" and I am in the same level of despondence as I was that day.

Then, I was the father of a then-6 year old who was the same age as many who were slain at Sandy Hook, and my heart was ripped from my chest and the sucking wound has never really healed...now my little girl is becoming a young woman and I am reminded DAILY how much of a shot to the nation's soul that horror was...

Today, those residents are the same age as my parents, and my parents are not yet in assisted living, but are on a path to require such care in the coming months or years (if we all survive this)...I see assholes like Hannity, Beck and Patrick saying things like 'they should die glad to die for the economy' and I want to rip their throats out...

WTF happened to America in the last 20 years? How did we ever get to this low point, this catastrophe, this void of leadership?

I'm sorry, but my depression is really settling in and overwhelming me right now...I can't see how this country EVER recovers or becomes better than it was once, and we're a long, long way from even breaking even again.

This CAN'T be how things like life and death and family and aging are discussed and dealt with - in naked $ and cents figures, as if we are all just entries on a ledger and someone needs us and our families to go so their 'value' can increase?

I want to hug those obviously traumatized residents and workers and the worst thing is not only can I not do so, they can't get hugs from anyone in that scenario.

This can't be real...it just can't be.

[Wellstone ruled]

1. Fully understand your

dispare. This is just another preventable Story or at least it count have been Mitigated.

Florida and Louisiana will know doubt repeat this avoidable crime scene to a greater death toll.

[ragemage]

2. Hang in there Moostache

Hang in there Moostache,
I am right there with you...my kids were young when Sandy Hook happened and I remember that day hugging them like I never hugged them before, crying my eyes out and feeling so sad and depressed...then nothing of course happened or changed which got my anger going...how? Why? Are we truly that heartless of a nation?
Fast forward to this current pandemic, and nothing seems to shock me anymore. The last few years I have gone from seething anger to almost numbing apathy...does nothing register anymore for anyone? I do see some shreds of decency between neighbors, strangers, family members, etc. during this time of crisis. But there is a large swath of this nation that truly drinks the kool-aid and believes what these monsters are selling. My parents are also in similar situation as yours, my mother-in-law is home bound on oxygen and cannot really fend for herself but we cannot risk going over to her house when it may literally kill her. We wave to her through the window in the door, dispense the usual pleasantries knowing we cannot go inside.
How does this end? Hopefully with enough sane and logical people doing the right thing and staying the hell home, practicing proper hygiene, social distancing, etc.
This will end one way or the other. My hope is that we as a nation (and as a world) come out of this re-thinking our priorities and elect at least a sane person to the presidency.
Deep breaths, some calming music helps (also heavy metal and whiskey helps sometimes too if you so inclined).
Virtual hug and high-five to you.

[Moostache]

3. Thanks for your thoughts...

I am going to have to avoid the whiskey (not a good drink for me), but a few White Russians may help me to abide!

Hang in there too...it helps to know we're not alone in our feelings watching this unfold!