viruses have no boundaries

I woke up this morning with that thought on my mind.

Blame the countless number of political ads besieging the airwaves.

I fully realize that the United States of America is not alone in this battle against a microscopic menace... but how many others in this country acknowledge that?

I do have to wonder.

This image, though, should get the point across.

My thanks to the researchers at Johns Hopkins University for this succinct image.

My country, the USA, is in purple, with the nation as a whole mirroring the trends I have posted for the states of Florida, California, and Texas.

The jagged red line is that of Brazil, the largest of the South American countries, finally seeming to have levelled off, though not down, as it still has more than 30,000 new cases weekly... but that is still better than the USA is doing.

India, however, decked in the sweeping blue, has topped out at 100,000 cases weekly -

but it isn't done yet and has a long way to go to control the contagion.

All three countries are experiencing the same terrible pandemic.

All three countries have a huge number of people who have had their lives altered, or taken, due to infection by SARS-CoV-2.

All three countries.

That's because none of these countries have a population that is willing to follow the three basic rules:

maintain social distancing;

wear a face covering or mask;

wash your hands.

That's okay, though.

Regardless of what the politicians want to preach, here's the truth.

Viruses do NOT have a political persuasion.

Viruses do NOT have a party of preference.

Viruses do NOT have an aversion to any country.

Viruses do NOT discriminate against color of skin, religious preference, size of bank account, or sexual identity.

Viruses are the great equalizer of all people.

The only agenda of viruses is to make more viruses, and we mammals provide them with that capability.

We have to stop being such willing captives to them.

We must follow the rules.

We must.

Please.