• Tonight, as I write this, the world is in the disabling midst of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. Something I've never witnessed in my lifetime. Of course there have been many deadly viruses to come and go in my short time on earth - H1N1 Swine Flu, Ebola and the Zika virus, all stand out in memory. But I don't recall them causing the fear, anxiety and PANIC that COVID-19 has caused in such a short amount of time. Not since the deadly attack of the World Trade Centers in 2001 has this country been in such turmoil, dysfunction and despair. All because of a mysterious virus that has caused massive and widespread FEAR in the hearts and minds of millions of people.

As I said, this is the FIRST time I've witnesses such a DIRE and DEADLY health situation in my lifetime. And frankly, it has caught me quite off guard. Because I've been dealing recently with my own disabling health issues, I didn't realize the seriousness of the situation until the government started shutting down everything. I think, for most of us, that is when it hit home and became REAL. I mean, this is the United States of America! The land of the free and home of the brave. A melting pot of endless hopes, dreams and possibilities for everyone! A country that has come up against the most arduous enemies, yet overcome time after time. Patriots. Warriors. Unbeatable. Invincible. Yet now, we've come up against an enemy that not only attacks us physically, but mentally, emotionally, psychologically and even spiritually. An enemy for whom we have no arsenal. An enemy that spreads like wildfire and has no regard for life. ANYONE'S life. It cares not that you're black, white, Italian, Chinese or alien. An infectious agent looking for a host to feed from. And while it's biggest conquest is your life, it has affected FAR more people on a mental, psychological and spiritual level.

I've dubbed the COVID-19 as the "modern day plague". And whether you're "religious" or not, whether you believe in God or not, you have to agree that this deadly virus is nothing more than a PLAGUE. A plague that has wreaked havoc on our bodies and mind. A plague that has disrupted our daily lifestyles, our "normalcy" and even our hopes for the future. A plague that has made us "drop what we're doing" and take notice. A plague that some say came from a lowly bat, yet roars with the intimidating voice of a magnificent lion. A plague that demands our attention, at ANY and ALL costs! A plague that not only attacks us physically, but on a mental level as well. A plague whose destruction is rooted in FEAR.

Notice no where have I said I was SCARED of the coronavirus pandemic. Because I'm not. Anxious? Yes! Cautious? Definitely! Uncertain of the future? Of course. But scared? No! That's because I know who holds my today, tomorrow and my forever - MY God! And even if COVID-19 is a plague sent by God (and who could blame Him for sending one on such a sinful and godless world?), I'm STILL not afraid. Because I know God is STILL looking out for His children. He is, has and always WILL BE in control, and no deadly plague is going to cause me to live in fear, or take my eyes off my only hope in this world! In addition to that, I'm an American - a PROUD American. And I will NOT back down from this intrusive and aggressive enemy.

I've noticed a LOT of fear since this pandemic appeared. People are scared to go out. Scared to hug. Scared to touch. Scared to breath. Scared - of just about EVERYTHING. Now I can appreciate a little "caution", but when you're so afraid you wear a mask while you're DRIVING around by YOURSELF, I'd say you're a little more than afraid. You, my friend, are PARANOID. The ultimate fear. Perpetrated and perpetuated by the main stream media and arm-chair doctors who THINK they know everything about something NONE of us have ever experienced in our lifetime. So many experts. So many fools. So much time WASTED fearing the "what ifs". 

Now, I'm not minimizing COVID-19. Not for one minute. People have gotten deathly ill. Many have died. Many more probably will die. It is a nasty virus and deserves to be regarded with caution and respect. But NOT FEAR. People, do NOT be afraid to LIVE in SPITE of the coronavirus! Yes, if you're already sick or have a very weak immune system, take as many precautions as you feel necessary. But do NOT let this virus kill you while you're still alive! (And if that sounds like something Joe Biden might say, so be it. Read it again and maybe it will eventually make sense!)

This is America - home of the free AND the BRAVE. Our forefathers didn't build this country from a state of fear - but of HOPE. Hope for a BETTER life. And yes, MANY lives were sacrificed in the process. But they were sacrificed NOT because they were afraid, but because the CHOSE to live and FIGHT. It was a risk they KNEW they were taking, but the prize was worth it. 

Don't let COVID-19 intimidate and scare you into a life of exile. Don't instill unwarranted fear into your children, lest you end up raising a generation of sickly, whiny fearful crybabies. When I was a kid, we drank water from a water hose that had been laying on the ground, chewed grass and spit it out like chewing tobacco, and ate fruit picked fresh from the tree without washing it first. And we SURVIVED. Truth be told, we were healthier than most kids walking around today! I'm not suggesting you act "childish" and throw caution to the wind, but I am saying stop letting the media, the doctors, your Facebook friends or your neighbor across the street dictate HOW you want to live (or die) in the midst of this or any other health crisis! 

One last note - and this is strictly MY OPINION, so don't jump down my throat if you don't agree. As far as the "stay at home" order most of us are currently under, if you don't feel comfortable or safe going out, then DON'T GO. You have that right. Just as those of us who DO feel safe have the right to go out and LIVE our life without fear or condemnation from others. And don't accuse ME of being selfish because I "might" get the virus and pass it on to someone else. Again, I'm not going to live in fear of the "mights" or "maybes" of this pandemic. I choose to live in a realistic world - with all its uncertainties and possibilities - good AND bad. It's what I've done for the past 59 years, and I'm not going to stop now.  Yes, I will take precautions and safeguards of my OWN choosing. But I REFUSE to be held a prisoner in my own home. And I further refuse to allow my constitutional freedoms - freedoms that my forefathers sacrificed for - to be trampled upon or taken away from me. And I will further fight to protect YOURS as well!

I'm tired of COVID-19. I think we all are. I'm sick of hearing the terms "social distancing", "shelter in place" and "new normal". I'm sick of the "lame-stream media" instilling fear and panic into every news story they report. I'm even sicker of people who believe everything they see or read on social media. I'm sick of the lies and untruths that have come out about the death toll from this virus. I'm sick of seeing people argue about it back and forth on TV and social media forums. I'm sick of so called "experts" who change their mind every other day about the "facts" regarding the coronavirus. But mostly, I'm sick of the FEAR MONGERING and PANIC that continues to swirl around us, keeping us infected with fear and panic. A nasty virus I can deal with. But I REFUSE to die from a nasty case of FEAR. 

The coronavirus will pass, leaving a littered battlefield behind. And how we deal with THIS battle, will determine how well we face AND survive the next. And whether it's another deadly virus, or something else, as long as you're living, there WILL be another enemy to overcome. Be brave. Be hopeful. Be FEAR-less.