In this episode of Positively Pedestrian, we discuss Coronavirus in America and how in this case, probably not the type of Exceptionalism we would like to be known for as Americans. We look at why America is particularly vulnerable to pandemics and why Covid-19 has been particularly deadly for us. Going further, we address lessons not learned and how perhaps constant waves of novel pandemics may very well be the new normal, we and the world may be facing. Unless we are ready to make major changes in land use, our relationship to animals, and address deeply embedded cultural and moral failings, the suffering and death will continue and even intensify! Plus, we look at who and what is to blame.
Follow Up Notes
Kris discovers Google cross-device search history syncing enabled without awareness, creating potential awkward situations when family members use his phone and see search history including legitimate research topics that could be misinterpreted.
The Hindu Swastika Religious Symbol vs Nazi Appropriation
Historical context of the swastika as a Hindu symbol of enlightenment before Nazi co-optation, relevant to the host's research causing browser history concerns.
Follow Up Notes
Reference to historical practice of suspending babies in wire cages outside New York City apartment windows for fresh air another example of seemingly disturbing historical research that could be misinterpreted in browser history.
Follow Up Notes
Sean's personal account of COVID hospitalization approximately 7-8 months prior, initially presenting as mild pneumonia before rapidly deteriorating to life-threatening condition requiring month-long hospital stay.
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Unusual story of paramedic giving business card requesting follow-up because "we never get to hear back" Sean contacted him 2.5 months later, shocking the paramedic who said he hands out 60 cards annually but never hears outcomes.
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Sean places blame on federal-level pandemic response failures, specifically citing disbanding of previous pandemic response teams that had effectively handled SARS, avian flu, and swine flu outbreaks.
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Discussion of unprecedented interplay between animals and humans in modern world, including wet markets and industrial agriculture, creating conditions for cross-species disease mutation and transmission.
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Comparison to Black Plague response where people rejected science and turned to religious authorities, drawing parallel to modern "church of Trump" mentality and "God will protect me" thinking.
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Discussion of laboratory research enhancing virus capabilities to predict natural mutations and develop countermeasures, creating potential for accidental release of enhanced pathogens.
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Analysis of how nations with resources can turn pandemics into competitive advantages through superior response capabilities, similar to climate change adaptation strategies.
Quotable
“The economy itself turns into almost like a sentient thing. It's like it's a living thing, right? In the end, it kind of is.
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Philosophical observation about how "the economy" becomes reified as a living entity in political discourse, demonstrating emergent behavior from simple elements.
Follow Up Notes
Comparison between COVID vaccine profits and opioid epidemic profiteering, highlighting consistent pattern of pharmaceutical companies prioritizing profits over public health.
Quotable
“There's no way to obviously unify and protest against this, right? Sure. So if there's actually like this conflation of these things and that's really happening, you know, in this whole calculus.
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Insight about how complex, nebulous power structures resist traditional protest methods because there's no clear target or simple slogan to rally around.
Follow Up Notes
Discussion of government as kleptocracy where industrial complexes influence legislation, creating downstream effects on how people prosper or suffer, making the profit-over-people model nearly impossible to challenge.
Quotable
“Comedy has always served a function in society to indeed. Oh, like, okay, Archie Bunker is the easiest example to point to.
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Theory that comedy serves as social mechanism for examining problematic behaviors and attitudes with objectivity and without guilt.
Follow Up Notes
Extended analysis of how comedy, exemplified by Archie Bunker character, helps society recognize and reject harmful attitudes by presenting them in ways that reveal their absurdity and moral bankruptcy.
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Identification of societal "comorbidities" that set up major failure in pandemic response, including cultural individualism, poor scientific literacy, and political polarization.
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Argument that genuine government response to pandemic would not have dramatically enriched pharmaceutical companies, suggesting alternative approaches that prioritize public health over corporate profits.
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Discussion of government's moral and spiritual responsibility to prioritize public trust and public good over business opportunities, contrasting with profit-maximizing behavior witnessed during pandemic.
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Prediction of collective spiritual damage to American society from pandemic response prioritizing economic interests over human welfare, affecting national character and moral foundation.
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Observation that public understanding of COVID outcomes has been reduced to "genetic lottery" thinking due to lack of clear information about prevention and treatment factors.
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Comparison to 1918 H1N1 pandemic, noting lack of living witnesses to guide current response and inform public understanding of pandemic severity and necessary measures.
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Discussion of obesity as major COVID risk factor, with US leading globally in obesity rates, creating additional vulnerability in pandemic response compared to other nations.
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Observation about Western stigma around mask wearing compared to Asian countries' experience with previous coronavirus outbreaks, highlighting cultural preparation differences.
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Analysis of how federal republic structure created coordination challenges compared to more centralized systems, though noting this didn't have to be as problematic as it became.
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Criticism of American education system producing "great young, motivated consumers" rather than critical thinkers with strong scientific and mathematical reasoning skills.
Follow Up Notes
Analysis of how combination of individualism, poor scientific literacy, and social media misinformation creates perfect storm for pandemic denial and conspiracy theories.
Quotable
“What we need is the rawness, the openness, the, I and the only way I can think to get that is comedy.
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Conclusion that comedy may be the only effective tool for cutting through complex, absurd systems and enabling honest critique without triggering defensive responses.
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