Being selfish is human. Rising above that requires some enlightening experience I think. One would hope our country would come together in the face of a pandemic but I suspect that would not happen now until everyone felt their own well being was threatened.

America has been unraveling in one way or another since its founding and has always seemed able to weather those storms. I see no change in that tendency now. What has changed is the pervasive ways to share fear and stories. But even with that, we’ll muddle along.

Until then, I’ll do what makes sense for Kim and I, be kind, compassionate and generous with others, and hold faith that today will be a good day.

I bet it is not quite true in your case, Steve, but I’d say there are too many people, especially in US, who just “Best for me to just do what I think will keep my family and I safe and not worry about the rest.” I’m guilty to a degree as well due to my background, believes and capacity. Sorry to grab your words like this, but I think these underlying modes of operandi are the cause of “unraveling of america”. We must strive for more.

I can’t say for sure what has possessed so many to do what they’re doing at Sturgis. It’s frustrating to think people would intentionally thumb their nose at a virus, but then, if they believe it’s not as harmful as they’ve been told, or worse, a part of some broad conspiracy, then I suppose it makes sense.

I’ve long ago given up trying to understand helmets and myriad other behaviors that make no sense.

Best for me to just do what I think will keep my family and I safe and not worry about the rest.

It’s a story I would love to write Andy. Along with two others that have been simmering in my notebook since I retired. If I just wasn’t so lazy…

Better news means longer stories and more reading. That’s a recipe for disaster in the news business. Not everyone wants to read things that look like they came from the Economist, The Atlantic, or the New Yorker. Tweets are so much better. Makes the world black and white and thinking isn’t required.

People seem careful in sharing their political opinions here. At least until they know where you stand. I suspect it’s different elsewhere but I’ve not encountered any evangelists or either side of the political divide.

For now, the United States seems to be in full flounder ahead mode. Maybe that’s the disruption that many seemed to want.

It’s strange but night has seldom been a time of worry about the world for me. I suppose I need more energy to stir concerns.

I’ve not heard much about the effects of the rally on infections. Most likely it’s too early to tell. Hopefully, it won’t be a nightmare. I’m trying to be optimistic.

I wish there was a national strategy to control the infections but so far I can’t find one well articulated. Tomorrow is a new day. Perhaps good news will emerge.

Steve, this is a story I’d love to read.

I think the answer is not less news, but better news. I live in Germany now, and when I’m back in the States I am always amazed at how sensationlist the news is. It’s invariably about the latest shooting or bomb attack or stupid presidential tweet. There’s very little of substance, of important decisions being made, or of international news. There is a lot of news out there that rarely gets presented because it’s pushed aside by those items the networks think will bring in the most viewers. Germany is probably headed this way as well, but there are still a lot of news items about government and business decisions, about culture, as well as politics and sports. I generally feel pretty well informed after watching the news here, and not scared to talk to neighbors because they might be terrorists.