Moth Dust~Goth Life

To everyone who has had to work in retail, healthcare, or other jobs that caused them exposure and who still turned down social engagements that could have given them some deeply needed mental release, because they cared about protecting others.

To everyone who has been able to work from home but suffered financially because of it. To everyone who went months without touching or talking in person to another human being, and whose mental health declined as a result.

To everyone who will continue to do the difficult work of keeping others safe even after they are vaccinated, knowing that asymptomatic transmission may still be possible and that no vaccine is 100% effective.

To everyone who sacrificed something of themselves for the sake of responsible social distancing: you have saved lives. Period.

You’ll never know how many people are walking around who would be in the ground if you’d tried to go about your life as normal, if you’d done as you pleased like so many people have. How many are healthy who would be suffering long term health problems. How many were spared pain, a stay in the hospital, the legitimate fear that they might die. How many have someone they love they do not have to mourn.

I’ve seen this gif going around, and it’s a wonderful visualization of this.

It can feel hopeless sometimes – seeing others act irresponsibly, seeing news reports of the damage the virus is doing. But know that even if you cannot stop the spread on your own, you have kept it from being worse.

“If you promise to stay alive just a little bit longer I promise that we are going to make this world a place worth living in by any means necessary. I ain’t giving up. I swear.” 

[Image description: tweet by Robert Reich @RBReich: “Georgians: If you turn 18 by January 5, 2021, you are eligible to vote in the run-off elections that will determine whether we take control of the Senate from Mitch McConnell. You have until December 7 to register to vote. Please tell your friends.”]

DIRECT LINK TO OFFICIAL GEORGIA GOV. REGISTRATION WEBSITE: https://registertovote.sos.ga.gov/GAOLVR/welcome.do#no-back-button

DIRECT LINK TO OFFICIAL GEORGIA GOV. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION: https://sos.ga.gov/index.php/Elections/register_to_vote

It would be much easier to make policy on key issues like healthcare, LGBTQ rights, climate change, tax policy, immigration, and economic recovery. You want Biden to be able to pursue progressive policies? Control of the Senate would be a major boost.

Biden’s legislative and international agenda is majorly compromised if the Senate becomes a stalling point. Avoiding legislative gridlock is crucial to getting things done in general, and particularly to manage the pandemic and start undoing the damage Trump's administration has done.

The Senate confirms senior government appointees to the administration - this affects Biden’s ability to pick his Cabinet and appoint judges.

If the Democrats are able to gain control of all three offices, they can change the filibuster, making it much more difficult for Republicans to block measures.