Given my food/flower-growing job, I can’t go on summer vacation. Instead, my wife and I pick one afternoon a week—based on the weather—and head to the Jersey Shore. We live 45 minutes from Asbury Park so we can get down Route 18 and return easily. After the sun sets, we leave the beach, get some Korean or Mexican takeout and eat on the boardwalk in the dark as humans walk by in their summer attire and buskers play music.
In 2020, while on a nearly deserted, very wide beach at twilight, an old high school classmate and his wife walked by, masked up. I continue to send him, and others, e-mails asking if they’re up on their boosters. They never provide updates. I guess they’ve blocked me. Last summer, I saw a woman pass wearing a full-face visor over a half-face paper mask.
This summer, 42 months after the Scam began, I haven’t seen any masks on the beach or boardwalk. A lot of New Jerseyans are slow learners. And virtue signalers. But even here, the public displays of gullibility have nearly vanished.
Last Friday’s Shore trip was great. The surf was outstanding. There was an hours-long offshore wind, which held up many more-than-head-high waves and even blew feathery foam off their crests. I caught some good ones.
When people go to the beach, it’s common to walk along the water’s edge and pass many others walking in the opposite direction or sitting in beach chairs. This week, I wore my anti-Coronamania t-shirt. I thought it was a worthier message than ones like “Ladies Night at the SandBar” that they tow on small planes above the water. Some who saw my shirt grimaced, but none said anything to me.
I’ll wear my shirt any time I’m in a multi-person setting. I want to remind people of what happened and not allow them to pretend that others don’t remember the hysteria and how so many either foolishly or opportunistically bought in. I reject the notion that it’s time to move on. Americans still often cite various dark historical chapters from decades or centuries ago. Coronamania isn’t history; appropriating Faulkner, it isn’t even past.
But aside from bearing continuing witness, I know other people who see my message will tell me they agree with me and that we’ll feel a kinship. I’ve had this experience in numerous encounters with strangers when I’ve stated my views out loud or via messages on my front porch or car bumper. It’s why I started posting anti-lockdown messages/stories on the Net in April, 2020. I know there’s a sane minority. We have to continue to find each other and lift each other’s spirits.
To those who have e-mailed or phoned me, or knocked on my door without notice, thank you very much! I deeply appreciate your sanity and company.
If you don’t have a shirt yet, please either buy one or make your own. And if you do have one, please wear it in the busiest public settings you are in. Then wash it promptly. Rinse. Repeat.
We need to continue to build a network of sanity.
Press on. Speak out.
I’ll post again, as usual, on Thursday morning.
I love this: "network of sanity." "We have to continue to find each other and lift each other’s spirits." YES!
Mark, you are an inspiration. Always refreshing to read what you have to say. There's a great saying "Friends are the family you pick for yourself"........so now you can say you have family in SD! I pick you.
Many of us have found each other here, and it has been truly magical. For all the lost friends we've grieved, the new friends have absolutely been an upgrade IMO. Like flying 1st class!! The very best wishes and prayers to you and yours. Please keep on keeping on with excellent dispatches.......