![]() ![]() It seems there is always a new topic for people to debate, often around the life and health of any number of particular groups. It seems there is always a reason to get angry online, to post headlines passive-aggressively. Stories about division among loved ones, colleagues, and neighbors are plenty: The Covid-19 pandemic, mask mandates, systemic racism, protests and policing, LGBTQ rights and representation, even conspiracy theories. This is one scene out of a million just like it. In the space of a few minutes I became disillusioned with him, and ready to allow the friendship to die. According to my friend, she should “just die” so he doesn’t have to deal with the inconvenience of wearing a mask. My little one has long-term healthcare needs which categorize her as “high risk” for respiratory illness. I was telling him about my toddler-aged daughter’s recent developments before he started ranting. He’d just told me about how proud he was of his teenage daughter’s recent accolades in sports. His bald disregard for the suffering of others was like getting the wind knocked out of me. But on that day, I felt like I had to get him to change his mind or get away from him. This man is someone I usually enjoy being around. ![]() He was ready to fight anyone who disagreed. And while he had no credible sources for his claims, he believed everything he said was true. There was so much emotion in his rant, so much fear masked as anger. He continued shouting about how the pandemic is a government ruse and that we shouldn’t have to wear masks. “The pandemic isn’t even real! The only people who have died from Covid were going to die anyway! So, they should just die.” He began shouting so everyone could hear. We were out in public with a big group of people. ![]() One day a friend of mine went on an anti-Covid rant. Sign up for our newsletter to get submission announcements and stay on top of our best work. ![]()
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