Ahh – Steven King, the master of macabre. There was a time when I read all of his books.
I was particularly interested in his Dark Tower series of books. Taken from his website, stephenking.com:
The Dark Tower series tells the story of Roland Deschain, Mid-World’s last gunslinger, who is traveling southeast across Mid-World’s post-apocalyptic landscape, searching for the powerful but elusive magical edifice known as The Dark Tower. Located in the fey region of End-World, amid a sea of singing red roses, the Dark Tower is the nexus point of the time-space continuum. It is the heart of all worlds, but it is also under threat. Someone, or something, is using the evil technology of the Great Old Ones to destroy it. One quote from I believe the first book in the series is: “The world has moved on,' we say... we've always said. But it's moving on faster now. Something has happened to time.”
Two and a half years ago when I got my first COVID-19 vaccine it was tough.
I got lucky to get an appointment and when I showed up at the county vaccine mega-site it was like a scene out of a movie: police everywhere; cones and barriers set-up; people shuffling silently towards the entrance when their group was called over the loudspeaker; controlled chaos inside the facility as workers were still setting up tables and chairs.
A week ago, I got the new vaccine booster that covers the variants and scheduling on-line was easy. I showed up at the local pharmacy about ten minutes before my appointment time and the place was basically empty. They took me right away, I got my booster and left – before my appointment time.
Even though COVID-19 is still with us the fear, the constant coverage on TV has, for the most part ended.
The world has moved on.
It’s easy to see this. Mask wearing is way down – to almost non-existent. I still wear a mask in stores – but I’m in the minority. The idea behind mask wearing was protection – mostly for other people. If everyone wore a mask then everyone would get some protection. So now, if I wear a mask who am I protecting? Mostly those not wearing a mask.
Finally, one of the last bastions of mandatory mask-wearing – health care facilities – were recently given new mask-wearing guidance from the CDC.
“When SARS-CoV-2 Community Transmission levels are not high, healthcare facilities could choose not to require universal source control,” the CDC said. Source control refers to the use of respirators or well-fitting face masks.
Even Biden said the pandemic is over, “The pandemic is over,” Biden told Scott Pelley of CBS as they walked around the Detroit Auto Show last week. “We still have a problem with Covid. We’re still doing a lotta work on it. ... But the pandemic is over.”
Indeed, the world has moved on. Hopefully the worst of the pandemic is in our past.
Mike Auerbach
Editor-In-Chief
[email protected]
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