Tag: #COVID-19

Creativity During COVID-19 Pandemic

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CREATIVITY DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The Mother of Inventions

By Trevor K. McNeil

Kick At the Darkness

There is a prevailing theory that times of turmoil lead to an increase in creativity. An idea supported by the warehouse’s worth of material created around the Nixon and George W. Bush administrations. Trump himself has countless examples of opposition in the public sphere. Despite having, so far, been in office half as long as the previous two. The COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. Aside from the suicidal fools denying the very existence of the virus killing hundreds of thousands around the world, there are three basic approaches to creating in the age of COVID-19. Survive, improve and thrive.

Survive

The most high-profile examples of creativity during the pandemic are those that engender a sense of community with each other and defiance against our common enemy. These include the now famous “Patio Concerts” that were started by opera singers in Italy. An idea taken into the digital realm by bands such as Blink-182 and Chvrches. Releasing socially distanced songs and sessions with the members distanced from each other and their fans. A theme filtering into albums, such as The Lockdown Sessions by The Coral. The Daily Show with Trevor Noah has changed its name to The Daily Social Distancing Show. A tactic also adopted by Full-Frontal with Samantha Bee and Conan hosted by Conan O’Brian. Though in O’Brian’s case, rather than being recorded in his home, the production has moved to an empty theater space.

Stronger Than Death

Others have taken the opportunity at self-isolation to really focus on their work. A tradition stretching back to Shakespeare who wrote King Lear under lockdown during a different outbreak and The Marquis De Sade, who worked under lockdown of a different kind. Having spent much of his life in prison or asylums. Standouts from the modern crop of self-isolated work include How I’m Feeling Now by Charli XCX and Folklore by Taylor Swift.

Lives Pulled Apart

Of the two, How I’m Feeling Now resonates most with the times. While pandemic and its effects aren’t mentioned by name, this only makes the effect all the more potent. While her work has always been urgent, songs like “Pink Diamond” have a raging, desperate, tiger-pacing-in-a-cage aspect to them. Gentler tracks like “I’ll Love You Forever” have a tinge of tragedy. Strongly implying lives pulled apart by isolation, lockdowns and death, yet still with a glimmer of hope. Love being stronger than death.

Clear Blue Sky

I’m not sure what happened to Taylor Swift while under self-isolation but I’m glad it did. Anyone familiar with my previous work won’t be surprised that I’m not the biggest fan of pop music. Particularly in terms of overproduced, corporate products. Folklore is the anti-matter of that. Released without promotion and recorded in self-isolation just months after her 30th birthday, Folklore is a huge step forward.

Wow, She’s Good

Swift having the time and focus to do her best work and sweet Thor in Asgard is it good! The raw talent only glimpsed previously, now on full show. The album is categorized as “Alternative” which, while vague, is the perfect way to describe this befuddling experience. Veering from the darkly bouncy “The Last American Dynasty” to Hozier-levels of poetic melancholy on “Exile” to the delicious word play on “The Lakes.” A bonus track which evokes the Romantic poets better than any song in recent memory.

Get Your Passes!

The pandemic also hasn’t been able to keep cultural events down. While some, like the San Diego ComicCon have been cancelled for the first time in decades, others have found new ways to exist. The Chelsea Flower Show, a major event in London often attended by The Queen, has gone online. Video tours of this year’s displays available on their event’s website. The Toronto International Film Festival, one of the oldest film festivals in North America on par with Cannes, has done something similar. Film buffs can see every film that was going to be shown in this year’s festival by buying a single digital-pass. Not only making the whole experience cheaper but a lot more accessible to those unable to get to Toronto for whatever reason.

 

HUMOR: Doc Trump’s Traveling Medicine Show

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HUMOR: Doc Trump’s Traveling Medicine Show

HUMOR: DOC TRUMP’S TRAVELING MEDICINE SHOW

By I.B. Freely

Panacea

COVID-19 got you down? Worried about the long-term effects of the most toxic and contagious viral infection since Spanish Flu? Fear not citizen! Doc Trump’s Traveling Medicine Show has the cure for the most common ill of our age. And he should know, they don’t come much more common than frat-boy-in-chief.

A Spoonful of Toxin

Far beyond mere ‘science,’ this galaxy-brained very stable genius can know if a  treatment will work just by ‘feeling it.’ The pandemic will soon be a thing of the past. Even if Doc Trump has to poison half the population to reach this seemingly lofty goal, which is really no more than his god-like job’s worth. Besides which, as any Dread Pirate worth their cocaine powder knows, a little bit of poison helps build up immunity.

No, Really, Go Drink Bleach

Crowning the tippy, tippy top off Doc Trump’s list of brilliant, perfect, foolproof cures is humble bleach. It obviously kills bacteria, so it must utterly obliterate viruses, right? Viruses and bacteria are exactly the same thing, after all. Don’t let the biased infectious disease “experts” fool you. The skull and crossbones warnings jugs are really more of a guideline, than a hard and fast “truth.” It has even been promoted by a baptist preacher, a group known to have never lied or even exaggerated about anything at any point in the 6,000 year history of the earth, who was kind enough to give a demonstration on how to inject bleach up one’s nose.

Some Light On the Matter

Imbibing cleaning products not your thing? The quacks are all agreed that the use of ultraviolet light is an effective treatment for COVID-19. The only real stumbling block is that said light would have to to be used on the molecular level. The president said it on TV so it must be true. Never mind that he has been caught in upwards of 20,000 lies in the last four years. Criticizing a president for dishonesty is like chastising an assassin for a lack of empathy.

Science, I Guess

For the superstitious types who will insist on having some ‘scientific evidence’ behind their miracles, Doc Trump has you covered as well. Whole heartedly supporting a wonder drug known as Hydroxycloroquine. A real actual, malarial drug, the name of which only sounds like a fatally toxic aquarium cleaner. So read the labels carefully, as the drug in its proper form poses absolutely not health repercussions or draw-backs whatsoever. Aside from the occasional fatal massive heart-attack. Then again, the higher the death rate from heart-attack and accidental poisoning the lower the COVID infection rate will be. A result  sure to landslide the smartest man in the world right back into the Oval Office. Not that has anything to do with the price of coke in Columbia.

All Natural$

Natural remedies are also very important when it comes to battling COVID-19. Doc Trump’s Traveling Medicine Show is in full support of making the magical plant Oleandrin widely available as a health supplement. As well as pushing the FDA to officially name it a cure for COVID-19. The fact that the plant in question is so toxic that a single leaf can send a rottweiler to join the Choir Invisible is just a technicality. As no doubt stated by MyPillow.com founder Mike Lindell during the White House meeting he was granted. The fact that Lindell was fined $1,000,000 for false health health claims regarding his pillow notwithstanding. Perhaps they could suggest cyanide or night shade next.

 

EDITORIAL: American Empire & COVID-19

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EDITORIAL: AMERICAN EMPIRE & COVID-19

By Trevor K. McNeil

Divided We Stand

In most things the states stand united. Particularly in times of crisis. The current confusion and diverging policies between the states is more proof of the damage caused by the Trump administration.  Donald Trump has made saving American lives a political issue. COVID-19 does not recognize state-lines and neither should we. The crass and opportunistic among us are trying to turn a public health emergency into the latest front in the culture war. Some states have taken serious action to combat COVID-19 while  others  apparently have decided it will just disappear. The result has become a mismatch of response tactics ranging from mandatory masks to COVID-19 parties. The bizarre approach has led to 147,000 U.S. citizens dying from the virus. And that number is growing everyday.  Alarmed nations, including allies and trading partners such as Britain, Australia and France, have decided to ban U.S travelers.

The Spaces Between Us

While initially shocking, especially in light of the united front put up against other threats such as Swine Flu, SARS and Ebola, not to mention the many, many war efforts, the gaps in response when it comes to COVID-19 are easily explained. It all comes down to the Trump administration choosing division over unification. Trump has decided instead of drawing the states together to present a united government supported policy to defeat COVID-19 he would rather dump reaction and response to the individual state governors. His lack of leadership has created one of the most lame responses to a national emergency in the  history of the country.

Using Federalism To Fail

The Founding Fathers drew up a Constitution that granted state’s and their officials dramatic powers of self governance. Governors have unprecedented powers within their own states. The caveat being that the states can be encouraged through both legal and appeals to nationalism to work together to follow the initiatives of the federal government. Trump is using federalism as his excuse for a pathetic national response to COVID-19. Trump due to his personality disorders and his weak character has intentionally abdicated leadership.

American Empire

The U.S. Constitution is a hybrid of ideas and ideals.  The governmental structure of the United States was an evolution of many factors. Many of those influences are directly related to the institution of slavery, the impact of British law, and historical empires, on the thinking of the fathers of the constitution. Without a doubt British tradition was a primary influence. The U.S. judicial system certainly is  a reflection of British Common Law.  The idea of  a constitutional republic where representatives are elected to represent a segment of the population as with the House of Commons is an example of British tradition.

The Powers Of Governors

An aspect of the American system that often goes unmentioned is the government structure. The United States of America in many ways has a political structure that resembles that of the Roman Empire. A decentralized union of district geopolitical entities held together by a central seat of power. In most instances there is a hands-off approach to regional governance. The term governor for a regional ruler dates back to the Romans.

National History

Hold on now. I know it sounds crazy. Empires are made up of nations after all. Except that the massive political and cultural differences between individual states makes the United States functionally similar to a continent of micro-nations as opposed to a single nation. Maybe a good analogy would be the European Union.

A Country, Or A State

The original 13 colonies were each unique and different with their own history and geopolitical characteristics. The country as it expanded purchased large land tracks from the French and the Russians  and stole and annexed land from the indigenous peoples. Each of those regions as they were divided into states brought their histories and cultures to the map of the United States

Mixing It Up

There is a deep French influence in Louisiana. Including the Cajun population who originated from a group of Métis (a mix of white French-Canadians and Native North Americans) known as Acadians who were driven out of Canada’s East coast. The name Cajun being a contraction of “Canadian Injun.” Alaska was also purchased from a foreign power, namely Russia, and also stands distinct from the rest of the American persona. Not least because of its geographical distance, proximity to Northern Canada and strong Native American influence.

Nation States

There are also states that literally started out as nations. Texas comes immediately to mind. Originally a province of Mexico, Texas fought to break free of the chains of imperial Spain, becoming a sovereign republic, before eventually becoming a state of the Confederacy and finally a state of the Union. Keeping a strong sense of what could only be called national pride. Another nation that became a state is Hawaii, which was straight up invaded and annexed a clear example of imperialists expansionism. The same kind of manifest destiny that led to the seizing of much of the mid-West from the Natives and Puerto Rico.  Some of these regions have become states others “possessions”  or “territories.”

A Crisis of Trust

The reason the United States is in the top five in terms of global infection rate, comes down to a lack of leadership from the federal government. In fact, the current administration is pushing for a state’s go it alone policy. Rather than pulling the states together Trump is highlighting the differences between the   interest and politics of each individual state.  Individual liberty trumping (pun intended) self-preservation.

 

COVID-19 Is Taking A Mental Toll

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COVID-19 Is Taking A Mental Toll,

But We Can Fight Back

By Wes and Anna Hessel

 Coronavirus Cuts Deep

As we move into summer, we leave Mental Health Awareness Month (May) behind. We are now looking forward to longer, warmer days, and the associated activities. But, the cold chill of COVID-19 and the resulting restrictions are creating problems well beyond the physical illness.  Researchers are now documenting emotional and psychological issues related to the coronavirus. An article in psychologytoday.com looked at the mental and the physical effects of the illness. Studies in China found lingering physical symptoms such as myalgia and dizziness. On a self-rated health status questionnaire patients also noted significant mental disturbances related to the pandemic.  People described increased occurrence of anxiety, stress, and depression.  In a study group of over 1250 individuals exposed to the coronavirus, more than 33%  exhibited insomnia, 45% had anxiety, 50% reported depression, and almost 72% described distress.

Long Term Effects

The SARS-CoV epidemic in 2003 showed the emotional cost is unlikely to be a passing problem.  Researchers in Hong Kong looked at 90 survivors of that virus.  The study group was considered well-educated with a mean age of 41. Thirty percent of them were health care professionals. One in ten in that study had at least one family member die of SARS-CoV. Overall, close to 60% had some form of mental disorder – over 6% a type of agoraphobia, 13% had a panic issue, more than 44% suffered from major depression, and nearly 48% suffered from PTSD.  When re-examined 2½ years after recovery, 3% still suffered from agoraphobia, almost 8% still suffered from a panic disorder, 13% major depression, and 25% displayed PTSD.

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COVID-19 And Murder In Minneapolis

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Police form ranks to break up protests in Portland, Or

COVID & Murder In Minneapolis

By D. S. Mitchell

Grasping At Sanity

I hadn’t known, until I stayed home that the mailman stopped at my mailbox everyday at 11:30, like clockwork. Never before did I start planning dinner at breakfast time, but, I do now. I wash my hands at least twelve times a day, once for every hour I’m awake, unless I have to go out, or I get a delivery, then I hand wash compulsively every five minutes for at least an hour. Sometimes, I wonder how long I can hold onto my sanity.

Vacant Streets

The strange thing about the COVID-19 pandemic has been the quietness of the streets. The 24 hour buzz of the busy freeways is gone. The roads have been  almost vacant. Not in a post-apocalyptic sense, but certainly a sense of disturbing, quiet unfamiliarity. There is, however, an awareness of danger. A danger lurking on every surface and every person. The danger, although  invisible, has been scary enough to have people locked down in their homes, until Monday, May 25th.

Silent Killer

Someone called it, a “willing paralysis.” I’m not sure what to call it. Physical contact with another person could be a death sentence. The bullet, nothing more than a cough. As we have social distanced, we have heard new sounds. The sound of chirping birds. The sound of a singular child bouncing a ball against a wall. A neighbor, whom I’ve never met, playing his acoustic guitar, like a resurrected Michael Hedges. Not all killers are silent, or invisible. Some are intentionally visible and they kill with impunity for the camera. And now our country hears a new sound. A cry, a great and powerful cry.

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COVID-19 Has Given Us Time

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Physicians in black robes and bird beaked masks offered herbs and quarantine against the Black Plague

TIME ENOUGH AT LAST

By Trevor K. McNeil

Inspiration

“If only I had the time.” It really is funny how many times I have heard this sentiment in terms of creative projects in different versions. There was a dentist who thought he would “try writing” after he “retired.” I guess he knows something I don’t. A far more accurate encapsulation of the creative process is Jack London’s line about the way to get inspiration is to “light out after it with a club.” Most people are staying pretty close to home these days. That can be a benefit, particularly in terms of writing. Many great writers found lockdown the perfect time to write their major work.

A Way To Pass the Time

As genius humorist and infamous gadfly Hunter S. Thompson pointed out “many fine books have been written in prison.” In his case, he wrote under the influence most of the time, so that in itself is a separation from typical responsibilities. One of the very first instances of work produced under lockdown are the epistles (letters) of the Apostle Paul. His letters are some of the most powerful and memorable sections of the New Testament. While not in lockdown the Apostle John is believed to have penned the Book of Revelation-The Apocalypse, while exiled to the Greek island of Patmos.

Classics In the Clink

It does not stop there however, some of the most famous, and infamous, books of the Western Literary Canon were produced under lockdown of the most literal kind. These include titles such as the infamous Justine by the Marquis De Sade, who the king liked to put in prison on regular occasions causing him to spend at least 32 years of his life either in prison or asylums. The Cervantes epic, Don Quixote was drafted during a three month prison sentence. Even the pious John Bunyan penned Pilgrim’s Progress during a 12 year stint of sheltering in place because he refused to stop preaching in public, the rascal.

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Guilt By Association

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Guilt By Association

By Trevor K. McNeil

A Little Bit of History Repeating

History is more of a cycle than a straight line. Those who have looked at it closely recognize trends have a tendency to repeat. Themes and progress ebb and flow in the oceans of time. Sadly, there are some areas where the water is darker than others. One such dark spot in the ocean of time is the anti-Chinese sentiment in North America.

An Ill Wind

One of the more damaging aspects of coronavirus, aside from the death toll, is the misinformation being spread about it. One being the Anti-Chinese sentiment, fostered and fueled by President Trump and his surrogates. Attempting to redirect blame from his colossal mismanagement of the pandemic response Trump continues his attacks on China. Our boneheaded and close to illiterate president regularly promotes the idea that the virus “came from China.”

Historical Reference

Did it spread through China first? Yes. Do we know for a fact that it is where the virus originated? Hell no. In fact, the Chinese point an angry finger to the United States military. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS–CoV-2) and coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is new and poorly understood. The prevailing theory is that the original carrier was a bat. I’m not sure if you’ve ever noticed, but bats fly. Over a fair bit of distance. As a historical reminder the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic did not originate in Spain, but rather Kansas and was spread by American soldiers.  Not that it matters anyway. The country of origin not nearly as important as how to stop the spread of SARS CoV-2 and cure the disease among those who contract it.

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Equal and Opposite Reaction

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OPINION:

Equal and Opposite Reaction

By Trevor K. McNeil

Together And Then We Are Not

We have all heard that absence makes the heart grow fonder. This may well be true in terms of human relationships, but the opposite seems to be the case in terms of international relations. The Republic of Ireland left the British Commonwealth at the first opportunity and hasn’t looked back. Boris Johnson will lead Britain out of the European Common Market sometime soon.  There is a strong, and ever growing, Republican sentiment in Australia. Basically the Aussies want what America already has. A secular, constitutional republic with no ties to Britain. Can it be any wonder then, considering that over two centuries of separation between the two great nations, that certain differences should arise in the way British and Americans do things? Few places is this clearer than in the response to COVID-19. Particularly the issue as to whether their countries should reopen or not.

Can’t Be Bad As All That

Britons know how to handle a crisis. Which only stands to reason considering how many they have been through. Near constant invasions, only William the Conquerer really being successful, and more foreign wars than Jupiter has moons. Which goes a long way to explain why when London was being blown to bits by the Luftwaffe during WWII, the general response was to Keep Calm and Carry On.

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Behind The Hype

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Behind The Hype

By Trevor K. McNeil

The Public Image

Media Studies and Communications are two academic disciplines that examine the content, history, and effects of mass media on the public. It is well-known that media is able to create a particular image. This is neither good or bad in and of itself. It only goes pear-shaped when the impression given is either deceptive, or lacking in important information. Such as making a boarish, pig-ignorant, retrograde failed businessman turned reality show host, who inherited close to half a billion dollars from Daddy but blew it all, look like a viable candidate for president of the United States.  A distinct opposite being the case of Dr. Anthony Fauci,

Popularity Kills the Cred

The 21st century is littered with examples of fraudulent, or at least dubious individuals claiming the title “Doctor” or more often “Dr.” Most often in an effort to legitimize and profit from their self-serving point of view. Author and TV huckster Dr. Phil, does have a PhD in clinical psychology and once held a license in Texas. The state of Texas censured him more than once, for ethics violations. After settling those ethics violations, he gave up his license to practice in 2006. Dr. Phil has been sued twice in California for practicing without a license.  So much for taking advice from this TV doctor.

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OPINION: Rules For Thee, Not For Me

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OPINION:

RULES FOR THEE, NOT FOR ME

By Trevor K. McNeil

Power Of Perception

Perception can be powerful. As Mark Twain said, give someone a reputation as “an early riser” and he can stay in bed until noon. Though, as with most things powerful, such perceptions can also be exceedingly dangerous. Like the “honest man” who turns out to be a con man or thief. Or the “quiet guy” who turns out to be a serial killer. Perceptions, especially unverified ones, make it very easy to deceive, particularly ourselves. Such is the case with American Isolationism.

Divided We Stand

The idea of American independence goes back to the beginning. Not only in terms of the country but with the individual states. At the time of founding, the United in United States was more wishful thinking on the part of the founders than expectation. The reality was less a nation than a loose collection of essentially independent British colonies, each with it’s own local government, and usually a militia group, the British being absentee landlords at best.

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