246 love thy neighbor

Despite living only a few blocks apart for a number of years, I can only remember seeing Gavin Newsom once in person.

He was standing alone in Union Square, under the statue of Victory, possibly waiting for someone. He was the mayor at the time.

Everyone knew who he was, but no one approached him. He just stood there, alone, hair slicked back, nobody to talk to. I guess this was before smartphones, because I don't remember him being on one.

He's our governor now.

He was the first governor in the US to order a statewide shelter-in-place.

Following the lead of our local officials, of course. It was a big move, many dismissed as being too much. Based on the maps above, what do you think?

Many other governors sooner-or-later followed his lead, of course.

As have many individuals. 

He's apologized for his poor example, seen in the picture at top, attending a birthday dinner for a colleague at a fancy restaurant. With 12 people, indoors, from multiple households.

Because nobody is immune to this stuff. At least, until after they've caught it. But hey, we all slip up sometimes. 
Or most of the time. Or one last time.

File under: fuck your eco vacation

Yeah, yeah, I flew to Europe in 2019. I was fully aware of the damage I was doing. I had very mixed feelings about it.

It was neat to see another part of the world, that is undeniable. But at what cost?

The good news is, 2020 changed all that. 

The question is, what's next? Are we going to absorb this situation and change our consumer habits? Or are we just waiting to "go back?"

Or will the future serve us up some other surprise-that-shouldn't-be-too-surprising?

Be safe, love your neighbor.

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