#132 Musings Beyond the Bunker (Wednesday September 1)
Good morning,
PEOPLE ARE MAKING THEIR OWN “CHOICES” BASED UPON THEIR OWN STATISTICAL SAMPLE
I share a malady with many of my fellow baby-boomers. Through a lifetime of working at a desk, standing too long and engaging in sports that the human body was not equipped to handle, I have developed a lower back problem. In deference to the advice of others, I decided the other day to retain the services of a “mobile masseur.” When he showed up in front of our house, he wasn’t wearing a mask (I was). He said, “if you really want us to wear masks, I have one. And anyway, you don’t have to worry because I know I don’t have COVID.”
I assumed he must have been vaccinated and indicated that, even so, we probably should be masked, since we would be together for an hour, albeit outdoors. I responded that, although we both were vaccinated, given we would be in close proximity, it probably was a good safety measure to be masked.
He responded that no, he was NOT vaccinated, but didn’t need to be because he is resistant to COVID. He then regaled me with stories of his “natural” immunity. He said has been exposed to COVID several times and had never gotten it. He has, he says, “natural immunity” to the disease. After all, he continued, “As you can see, I’m young, virile and healthy.”
After I pulled my jaw up off my chest, I tried to explain to him that I didn’t think “natural immunity” was “a thing.” I confirmed he was young and appeared healthy (I couldn’t really comment on his virility…). But why won’t he get vaccinated or wear a mask?
He again insisted that he has been exposed numerous times and has not contracted COVID. He again commented on his strong immune system. I asked what tests of his system had been performed to confirm his conclusions. He of course had none.
I tried to explain that his anecdotal analysis of his own biology was based upon a statistical sample of ONE! He looked at me incredulously. I was making no progress. He was even more incredulous when I politely asked him to leave. “You get to make your decisions and I get to make mine,” I said as I bade him goodbye. Call me crazy but I didn’t want to hang out with an anti-vaxxer who, notwithstanding his alleged deep learning in the field of immunology, was statistically challenged.
And, yes, I did Venmo him the payment for the session because of our “misunderstanding.”
SAVE YOURSELF WHILE YOU CAN
I love science fiction and speculative fiction. And I think Hugh Jackman is one of the greatest actors of our time (acting, action, song and dance). Imagine how I must have looked forward to a dystopian time-traveling film starring Jackman. But run from Reminiscence. This movie, with a conceit related to getting inside people’s memories compares unfavorably with the brilliant Inception. It might be the worst movie since St. Elmo’s Fire or the first Star Wars “prequel.” Where is Jar Jar Binks when we need him? There are so many plot inconsistencies and so many logical holes, plus the acting is terrible. If you’re going to ask someone to suspend disbelief, that suspension has to be plausible. In this case, it wasn’t.
WHY DO WE ELECT TO GO TO UPS VERSUS THE POST OFFICE?
The other day, Lauren was sending a package and, upon pulling her car up to a parking lot where there was both a UPS store and a U.S. Post Office, called and asked my opinion. I said, “go for UPS.” Without hesitation, she agreed. When I hung up I realized this was a sad commentary on our trust of government versus our trust in private enterprise. Notwithstanding the many benefits accorded the U.S. Postal Service and its unique position as a semi-public corporation, we still have greater faith in an enterprise with a far better reputation and track record for timeliness, efficiency, and dependability.
Have a great day,
Glenn
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