MEMPHIS, Tennessee — In Monday's Ransom Note: When history writes about this time, I'm convinced future generations biggest question will be, “Why did so many people ignore the advice of scientists? Why would they rather believe it was the flu than a highly contagious virus twenty times more deadly and follow politicians rather than doctors?”
Opening schools, holding massive biker rallies, jamming into bars and night clubs?
Part of the answer will be found in Mississippi, where today we learned 49 state lawmakers --more than 25% of them-- have come down with COVID-19. 4 were hospitalized, 3 were put in the ICU --two are still there-- 12 capitol staffers also caught the virus, and 1 person who contracted COVID-19 from a Mississippi lawmaker died.
Back in early July, few of them could be bothered with face masks and social distancing. But today as they returned to the capitol, the face masks were worn.
This virus reminds me of my two kids when each was four years old. If we told one of them the stove was hot and not to touch it, he listened and wouldn't touch it. The other would absolutely have to touch it and find out the hard way it would burn just like we said.
It may be too soon for a vaccine. It's not too soon for a dose of common sense.
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