"For too many people, misery is the formal policy of the United States. The lucky few at the top tell a different story about this country. America is fair, they say, and the meritorious rise to the top. The reality is less flattering."
Back when people were trying to understand COVID-19 patterns became discernible in the contagion and mortality statistics. Some groups were becoming ill and dying at much higher rates than others. Pretty predictably those were the people the rich and powerful and the legislators in their pockets considered disposable: the BIPOC, the poor, people with disabilities and comorbidities, older people, and the essential workers who had to go into jobs where catching a potentially fatal disease and bringing it home to loved ones was a clear and present danger and they often weren't provided the most basic personal protection equipment by the companies that were gleaning huge profits from their forced sacrifices.
A lot of people were shocked by the revelations. Not Sarah Jones, a senior writer for New York magazine. In Disposable: America's Contempt For The Underclass she makes one thing perfectly clear: COVID-19 didn't start anything; it simply made evident what the rich and powerful were hiding for a long time--basically since this nation's inception...
...that there is an inherent and vicious conflict of interest between those at the top who want to make obscene amounts of money while keeping the majority of fellow citizens poor enough to exploit ruthlessly and the rest of us. I'll give you an example from the book that is very personal to me. Even as COVID-19 was keeping the grim reaper working overtime, even as most of us were sorta focused on staying alive, the rich and their friends in government were flat out stating that the emphasis on life saving was misguided. Those of us considered disposable shouldn't stand in the way of reopening the country to business as usual even if we'd pay the ultimate price. I was an older person--68 to be exact--when this was going down. My reaction to the more than suggestion that I should lay down my life on the altar of capitalism was NO FUCKING WAY!
Jones does a deep dive into all aspects of the brutal COVID-19 reckoning and the national history that made it inevitable. She does a very commendable job balancing facts and statistics with the stories of many who needlessly lost their lives. If you're bothered by the brutal inequities that sacrificed the lives of millions for the profit of the few and you want things to change, especially if, like me, you're considered acceptable collateral damage, Disposable most definitely belongs on your summer reading list.
On a purrrsonal note, I really lucked out in the pandemic. I was just starting grad school when UMaine went online and my biggest challenge was adapting from in person to virtual learning. I think I had a mild case in Christmas break '22, but I was fine after a week of lying around. Eugene was an essential worker so we had a continuous source of income. I was able to get zoom counseling for anxiety through my school. I had precious Tobago for company and my family and friends to keep me from feeling isolated. I wasn't even bored because I binge ordered inter library loans and my friend, Emily who can drive to deliver them right to my door and Eugene and I could safely get away for weekends at our camp in the woods. And I had the assurance that when UMaine went back to in person learning my job would be waiting for me.
A great big shout out goes out to Jones for her brilliant truth telling.
Jules Hathaway
Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone
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