This turns my stomach
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick’s stance that grandparents should sacrifice themselves for the economy is sickening and disgusting. 1. I don’t have grandchildren. Sorry, I don’t intend to die just to benefit younger people I do not know. 2. He may not value his life, but I value mine and I value the lives of my friends and family ALL of whom are “older.“ In times that, as a society, we should pull together for the benefit of all, this is unbelievable ageism.
Patrick’s position is certainly a new low, not just unbelievably ageist but outright eugenicist. The good news is that the uproar was widespread, giving rise to the Twitter hashtag #GrandparentsShould, among others. One favorite tweet: ”#GrandparentsShould stop voting for Nazis who actually want them to die to boost the stock market.”
Along with the climate crisis, a pandemic makes it clear that we’re all in this together. That means younger people as well as older ones—generational finger-pointing undermines the solidarity we so desperately need—and strangers along with friends and family. The people who stand to benefit, as ever, are the wealthy, giving rise to a few other excellent hashtags: #DontDie4theDow and #CapitalismKills.
03/25/20
Boomer Remover
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing intergenerational rivalry, some Millennials and Gen Z-ers have been referring to Coronavirus as “Boomer Remover.”
On the bright side, nowhere near as much uptake as there was with #OKBoomer.
03/14/20
Coronavirus and the arbitrary age to stay home
With all respect for the public health officials who are working around the clock to minimize the risk of the coronavirus spreading, it’s ageist for them to advise – as some have – that everyone over 60 stay home for a while. Why not say, “If you have respiratory problems or a weakened immune system, stay home,” and leave age out of it? Why should those of us who are north of that Maginot Line be subjected to dirty looks from youngers, if we want to go to a restaurant, hardware store or the gym?
That is indeed what public health officials should be advising. It’s health status, not age, that makes us more vulnerable to coronavirus. And while being older makes you more likely to die from the virus, it doesn’t make you any more likely to spread it. The people giving you dirty looks are as ignorant and prejudiced as the ones avoiding contact with people who “look a bit Chinese.” Hello, ageism! Hello, racism!
03/11/20