PANDEMIC DIARY

A NEW DAY
January 19, 2021

This is the last day of Trump’s presidency. (lower case intentional) On the evening of election day for the Georgia Senate seats, I stayed up as late as I was able until my physical exhaustion collided with my emotional unease as it appeared more than likely that the final outcome of the Georgia Senate Race would not be finalized until the early morning hours. Despite my respect and affection for Steve Kornacki, the brilliant and lovably frenetic statistician/analyst on MSNBC, I could no longer parse the numbers in a manner that informed me with any confidence of the outcome of these races. However, the last thing I remember watching was the image of a brightly jacketed, cap-wearing James Carville who entrances with his political savvy and succulent Southern drawl, effectively declaring the race over and the forecast that the Dems would win both seats. That assured projection, like a child’s lullaby, lulled me to sleep.

As we all know now, both Warnock and Osoff won those seats and provided a sweeter taste to what might have been a very bitter cup of coffee that morning. Still, even that early news was not nearly as sweet as today. I just finished watching the ceremony President-to-be Joe Biden requested as his last formal act before becoming President of the United States - an observance of the over 400,000 Americans who died from the Covid-19 pandemic. It was, I sense in keeping with the values of the man, a quiet commemoration in which a humble nurse from Detroit, Michigan sang Amazing Grace and Joe Biden delivered a brief and heartfelt message to the family’s and friends of love ones who died from this wretched contagion. Then, alongside the Lincoln Reflecting Pool, 400 candles were lit each representing 1,000 lost souls whose lives were brightly shimmering in the water, like the glimmer of a comforting memory.

Today will also be a time of reflection. Inauguration Day. There is normally a passing of a symbolic baton, the baton of democracy, of a peaceful transition, the baton of continuity, and the baton of unity. This administration has dropped the baton, stepped on, demeaned, cursed, defiled and abused it. In a way, it is appropriate and fitting that the ‘orangeman’ will not be attending the Inauguration. There is nothing I can think of that he has accomplished, no words that he has spoken, no gesture he has made, no morality he has displayed, no ethics he has lived by that I would wish to be passed on. May his non-attendance be a full and complete break with this past.

I extend to our newly elected team, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, my very best wishes for a successful four years. May the United States of America once again work for common cause - peace, justice, equality and prosperity for all.