Mrs P and I will regularly stop on our walks to take a photo or two. If I share mine, I likely share it with you here on my blog. Mrs P sends hers to her dad in Mexico City. He likes seeing where Mrs P has been and what she’s doing. Sometimes, Mrs P will forget to bring her phone and she will ask me to take a photo for her. That’s the story behind this photo, that I took on the morning of January 2nd.
It’s not the greatest photo. But Mrs P liked the view and wanted to send it for her dad to see when he got better. He had been hospitalised just a couple of days earlier. I don’t need to tell you why, I’m sure. If you guess the obvious, you are guessing right. That’s another story, one that doesn’t need to be told by me. Not here. Other than to say that it was a story that ended yesterday in the saddest way possible. This is the photo that Mrs P will never be able to send to her dad.
It’s a simple photo, overlooking the bay next to some steps that will take us down to the beach through the Tropical Gardens. I hope you enjoy it, for the second or two you look at it. I’d like you to think of all the millions of untold stories, unfinished stories, shortened stories that this virus has left in its wake. Those last words, those last views, those last thoughts.
Today I will no doubt encounter, either online or in person, or both, a moron who will attempt to explain how the virus is a hoax, or who will otherwise downplay the severity of this pandemic. It’s overblown. The tests are a scam. People die with it, not of it. Suicides have jumped 200%. It’s just a bad flu. And on and on they go with fictitious nonsense, pontificating whilst millions of victims of this dreadful disease desperately cling to life, straining to take a full breath, isolated from loved ones.
One possible reason for their lunacy: at some point, a decision seems to have been made on how to ensure true balance and impartiality in the media. For every rational, intelligent, sane take on an a topic, there must be an irrational, unintelligent, insane view in opposition. And screens, news columns and airwaves were suddenly filled with shrill clowns peddling lies and bigotry, monetising human emotions through click bait and soundbite. Before you knew it, policy makers and think tanks had jumped on the bandwagon.
I’m of the opinion that society would benefit hugely if we looked to use media platforms for conversation that is ‘smart and informative’ instead of ‘sensationalist and combative’. But the well has been poisoned and legitimate argument from voices of reason drowned out. I won’t dignify conspiratorial tripe with reasoned response – there comes a point when an ad hominem doubles up as sound advice to a deserving recipient.
Somewhere in the background of all this, Mrs P is heartbroken. As are millions of others who will never get to speak to their mums, dads, sisters, brothers or children again. I am angry, yes. This vile industry of profiteering off the worst parts of all of us brought us Brexit, it brought us Trump and it is contributing to a death toll from the coronavirus that is higher than it need be.
The Mexile 
True words all, Gary. You and P have my regards and sympathy on your loss.
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Thanks Norm. He was of no age for this to happen. It’s tragic, really.
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My sincere condolences to your wife and to you. Mexico City has been hit very hard. Every day I hope that my “Mexican family” makes it through this ordeal unscathed.
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Warm and prayerful thoughts for you and the Mrs for the recent loss. I lost my sister in the fall of last year and we still think and miss her everyday.
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Thanks Carlos, and likewise, I’m very sorry to hear of your loss. These are sad times.
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CDMX is not a great place to be ill right now. It’s an absolute horror show. But nothing, I guess, that you wouldn’t expect in a city with that many people, with the medical system it has, and a president encouraging hugs and kisses.
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Oh, I am so so sorry to read this. My heartfelt condolences to both of you. It didn’t have to be this way, what a terrible waste.
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Thanks Nancy. He wasn’t one of those who followed the ‘hugs and kisses’ mantra of el presidente. But how many people did he interact with who sucked that up? This was always going to be a bad time, once the virus escaped Chinese borders. But it didn’t have to be quite this bad.
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Sorry to hear this. It has hit some friends close to me, but nothing like you. We have acquaintances, I will not call them friends, ever, beating the conspiracy and denial drums.
We are still at least a year from any kind of respite, and it will happen again, more frequently. What I have decided is that although the world can search for vaccines and treatments, each country needs the capability to produce the products rather than be dependent on the supply from another country that has it’s own population to treat.
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Thanks Kris.
I’m not going to entertain Covid conspiracy theorists in the slightest. Death cult f**kers, the lot of them. There’s a fad here amongst that ‘community’ for walking around filming empty hospital corridors and wings and making out there is no pandemic. Where are the patients? They are strolling around outpatient and day care departments after closing time. It’s so incredibly stupid, yet people are sucking it up. I’d love someone from a hospital to grab one of these idiots and give them a PPE free tour of the Covid wards and ICU.
Things will get better, over time. But it’ll take time. And for a lot of people, it’ll get better but without someone they loved. It’s tragic.
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May he rest in peace. This a blog from the heart and I thank you for writing it understanding the circumstance.
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Thanks Ricardo. Hope you and yours are all safe and well.
You tagged me in Facebook with this one. I think you forgot that I prefer my blog not to be tagged to my name! It’s cool to share on Facebook though. Cheers!
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Heartful wishes to you and Mrs P for the tragic loss.
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Thanks. Stay safe.
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Because we had discussed what was happening in Mexico with the virus recently, your news did not catch me off guard entirely, but it is shocking nonetheless. Please pass along my condolences to Mrs. P. Losing a parent is always a shock. Losing a parent to a disease that could have been better controlled is a tragedy.
Is there anything that I can do on this end to help? You know you only need to ask.
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It’s a shocking story that played out in another 1725 homes in the UK today. That we’re not the only ones in this boat is of no comfort to anyone. The misery this disease is causing is rather hidden in the numbers. You know what Uncle Joe had to say on the subject of tragedy and statistics.
I do appreciate your kind thoughts, Steve. We are in need of a time machine, but failing that your prayers will more than suffice. Both Mrs P and papi are believers, even if I’ve not yet been persuaded.
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This is so sad to read. My condolences to you and Mrs P during this very difficult time.
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Thanks amigo.
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