President Trump was right when he said that the coronavirus crisis is taking an emotional toll on the American people, and as a result sensitivity seems to be on the rise.
Daytime talk show host - Ellen DeGeneres is doing her show from her home in the Los Angeles area. Ellen has been sitting with her legs folded in a chair with her lush yard as the backdrop. While talking about how the coronavirus has impacted her life, she said, “One thing that I’ve learned from being in quarantine is that - this is like being in jail, is what it is.” The bashing on social media was immediate!
Of course, being quarantined in what I assume is a palatial mansion in L.A. is not really like being in jail - but it’s fair to interpret Ellen’s comment relative to her life. The cliche’ “it’s like being in jail” is used to relate to no longer having the freedom to come and go as we please; but people who make that comment do not really think it is like being in jail.
The coronavirus crisis is frustrating and scary, and some people are venting their fear and frustration by criticizing others. As a radio talk show host - I experience America’s collective sensitivity to everything on a daily basis and I have seen a spike in the intensity of criticism on every front.
When I first began combining my exercise walks with my role in the media and filed photos and videos documenting the impact the coronavirus was having on the usually bustling city of New Orleans - I was condemned for not following the stay-at-home orders from the city and the state. Some of the criticism was pointed and vicious.
Under the stay-at-home orders - the media is allowed to do its job, and every doctor or political leader I have heard explain the rules actually encourages people to go out and participate in some for of exercise to boost our physical and mental wellbeing. The fact that I have been following the stay-at-home rules was ignored by those who just wanted to bitch about something. And that seems to be a manifestation of the built up frustration of being stuck at home.
As a nation - we have taken political correctness to a ridiculous extreme. Not everything should be interpreted literally, and not every joke or light-hearted comment is maliciously intended.
As we approach Easter - a weekend that is a rite of passage into springtime - we are frustrated that we can’t go to church - have crawfish boils - have Easter egg hunts or gather in the usual groups that have always been part of our Easter weekends - but let’s relax and realize that this should be very temporary and we are not often asked to make real sacrifices.
Easter and our normal lives will return - but only if everyone respects the stay-at-home orders and social distancing. The flow of positive indications that things will get better depends on all of us doing our part. Getting frustrated and acting like this disease can’t hurt you and expressing frustration by criticizing comments that should be seen as a joke - is damaging the positive attitude many of us are trying to maintain.
Also consider that Ellen tends to be liberal and therefore would be very sensitive to the plight of everyone who is incarcerated. The idea that she thinks that being quarantined in her mansion is really like “being in jail” is an absurd notion that should be dismissed as ridiculous!
Relax and save your criticism for the things that really are important.
Have a great weekend! And a new episode of “Tiger King” will be on Netflix Sunday!