[NFBMT] opening up our state

Fri Apr 24 15:45:22 UTC 2020

you've got that right. Did you get the directives about not having face 
to face meetings?

On 4/23/2020 5:46 PM, president--- via NFBMT wrote:
> Those 65 and older should still shelter in place.  So should anyone with a medical condition targeted by the Coronavirus.  These directives come from Governor Bullock's Phase I re-opening.  Federal and state guidance established 3 phases of re-opening for a gradual easing of quarantine measures.  Our state is taking its first step with much more to come.  Montana is using reason and science to drive it's re-opening.  Other states are making purely political decisions.  I'm also nervous about re-opening too soon, but feel some comfort in that Montana's decisions are supported by evidence and not someone's political agenda.  From what I've read, we are not out of the woods yet, and it's going to be a long while before society can say it has mastered the pandemic.  Lots of people are talking about the new normal, meaning that this pandemic has changed us forever.  The new normal also takes shape  from our collective building a better world.  For example, look at all the stories of human beings triumphing over selfishness and sacrificing for others.  Look how the pandemic cares nothing for our national borders, and how COVID-19 does not give a rip about political parties or ideologies.  Empathy is everywhere, and the new normal we are building together is going to leave the world better off than we found it.  Also, who better understand standing strong in the face of negative attitudes than the blind?  We know how to choose the high road, and it looks to me that the rest of society is learning what we already know and live.  Stay strong and well, my friends!
>
>
> Jim Marks
> President, National Federation of the Blind of Montana
> president at nfbofmt.org
> (406) 438-1421
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NFBMT <nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Rik James via NFBMT
> Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2020 2:04 PM
> To: 'NFB of Montana Discussion List' <nfbmt at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: rixmix2009 at gmail.com
> Subject: Re: [NFBMT] opening up our state
>
> The definition of insanity is changing every day.
> And the things we hear and say, can make the people who used to be sane, so likely to be ready to swing and sway.
> And Flying Blind, has never been so popular as it is today.
>
> This is a very hard time. And no one wishes more than I that all of my friends, loved ones and colleagues in the Federation, and elsewhere, to be able to remain Healthy,  and to live long beyond this pandemic.
>
> No one knows enough. No one will be safe. Not absolutely.
> Not until there is a vaccine or a cure.
> Who touched what, when and where, will and can get you stuck between that rock and  a hard place but sure. And quick as a wink, too. Or maybe not so quick. Maybe it won't even be fore a few days, or a week, or more. That is the awful truth. And it makes all of this opening talk so very insane, and premature.
>
> I am listening carefully to Governor Bullock's gradual opening ideas and proclamations. Whatever they are, we are resolute in our home, to stay put. Fortunately, this has not yet been extremely hard. But it is stressful, no doubt.
>
> Maybe when each of us has been touched personally, then we will each know enough to be more absolute in the self-restriction, to save oneself, and others, from the accidental exposure to this virus.   And if this just sounds like someone who is willing to go around being afraid, read on.
>
> Just yesterday, we met someone who told us of his girlfriend, who is young and very fit and healthy, getting this disease. It has been 5 weeks now, and she is still not out of the woods. He said, that this ordeal, it has turned his head around in ways that he had yet to imagine.
>
> She was thinking that she was over it, then to be in the ICU, then, still not feeling good. The bladder complications, that happened after she thought that she had recovered. He painted  a pretty scary and sobering picture for us. Her family members who then caught it, it really is quite ugly, he told us. And he said, believe me, this thing, is bad. You do not. Repeat, NOT. Not want to get this bug.
>
> Here was another thing about this story. This case? The case of his girlfriend? She lives in Power, Montana. They have actually not reported ANY COVID19 cases so far in her county. I forget which county that is. I think it is up near Great Falls? Her requests for testing was unavailable, and then, the diagnoses inconclusive, until it was very clear by how sick she became.  No cases reported?  Why?  Unknown.  So how widespread is this? Even in Montana. We don't know. No one does. We fly blind.
>
> But, those on the right who are now, loudly promoting the obviously premature reopening across the country. Of them, I am truly very much ashamed and angry at them.  And the big shadow money that is supporting this movement. All on the say so of the false prophet, the man who will not listen to science, only cares about his own money, and power. Of all the times not to have a federal government that can do what needs to be done, when even the best will be challenged, we have this very psychopathic fellow, only obsessed with personal ambition, lashing out at any criticism, destroying anything that he sees as personally threatening.
>
> If any of that sounds partisan. I say, what party is that? Party has little do with anything from our history of a political party.
>
> The haircuts, the many things like that, it all does come up. And I get it. I do. Every day, moment by moment. We have never experienced this type of change and need for restriction. Our friend telling us this story, he is a pretty well established ecologist and accomplished in many things. He advised that we read up on history. What did various business and political people do 100 years ago. They also urged premature activity to preserve the economy. It had devastating results.
>
> Maybe you think some of these people might not want anything but to just open up a little bit. It is true. But I am not trusting them. Not yet.
> We do need our local officials to act on all of our behalf, for safety and health. And we should support one another, in kindness, and compassion.  I will try, if you all do. And I know that you do, and shall continue.
>
> Thanks for listening.
>
> Rik James
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NFBMT <nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of James Aldrich via NFBMT
> Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2020 12:26 PM
> To: NFB of Montana Discussion List <nfbmt at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: James Aldrich <jkaldrich at mysero.net>
> Subject: Re: [NFBMT] opening up our state
>
> Hello all,
>
> Perhaps we can say darned if you do aand darned if you don’t!  Or, we are between a rock and a hard place.  We can’t quarantine forever.  We do need to eat!  Food needs to be produced so we can do just that!  I’m hoping I can get my haircut soon!  People need to get back to work so things can happen again!  I would say use your conscience and best judgment.  As for me, I’m ready for that occasional outing!  I refuse to live my life in fear!  Let’s get things going again as safely as we can do so!
>
> Jim
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Apr 23, 2020, at 9:49 AM, d m gina via NFBMT <nfbmt at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> It is to soon, we will have a set back.
> Dar
> Original message:
>> Hi what are your thoughts about the governor's opening up our state?
>> We are hoping that because things are opening up gradually, that this
>> approach will work.
>
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