Comforting images
USNS Comfort comes to town:
More photos here.
Those photos conjure up childhood memories for me. I was born a few years after the end of WWII, but in my childhood there was still a lot of war consciousness. My parents spoke of the war at times. War movies were regularly shown on TV, and I watched them all. I doubt I ever saw a large floating hospital sip with big red crosses on it like the Comfort, but nevertheless these photos made me think of the unabashed patriotism and national solidarity of those days.
And New York harbor and the Statue of Liberty always make me think of my childhood.
The last two big crises we’ve had – 9/11 and this – both have had New York City as their center.
The picture of the hospital ship sailing by Lady Liberty made me cry, and I’m not even a New Yorker.
Looks like Utah has passed the peak. Go to https://coronavirus-dashboard.utah.gov/ and scroll down to new cases.
We’ve sent those ships to so many other countries, and now they are here for us.
Maybe it would be good if some major companies and financial infrastructure were to diversify away from New York. Not right this instant, of course; but, it’d be better if more of our eggs were in a more-geographically-diverse set of baskets.
Granted, a lot of stockbrokers might be miffed to have to move to Kansas City. (And I’m sure the folks in Kansas City would be far-from-happy about an invasion of stockbrokers.)
But, still.
Yep, those images bring back memories of the WWII years.
This is much different, but it is an all hands on deck effort. Every citizen has a role to play. Staying home and avoiding getting infected is not exactly what one thinks of as “doing one’s duty,” but that’s exactly what it is.
Our medical personnel and first responders are the equivalent of our combat troops of WWII. They’re short of all the equipment they need, but, just as In WWII, the nation is mobilizing to build, buy, or do work arounds to git ‘er dun.
We can do this. We may not be as tough as the WWII America was, but we still have armies of people who will step up. Proud to be an American.
I heard on FOX news that patients who go to this floating hospital will NOT have hospital bills to pay since the ship is doing this as a “mercy” mission; and they do not charge for such missions.
Now, when can we expect Mayor de Blasio to apologize for saying the Federal government is NOT doing enough for NYC? (rhetorical question)
Thank you so much for these pictures, Neo. Like Kate in the first comment, the one with Lady Liberty made me cry.
I’m more vulnerable than usual to emotional responses like this, I find. I imagine I’m not the only one.
Kate,
That first picture made even a hardhearted jerk like me get a lot emotional.
Speaking of comforting images, I really appreciated this video from John Krasinski.
https://youtu.be/F5pgG1M_h_U
It’s a good idea and, in my mind, he uses just the right touch on it. I hope he continues his reports and the concept spreads.
charles on March 31, 2020 at 6:21 pm said:
…
Now, when can we expect Mayor de Blasio to apologize for saying the Federal government is NOT doing enough for NYC? (rhetorical question)
* * *
(rhetorical answer-I would like to be wrong, but, based on past performance)
When Hell freezes over.
Super pictures.
Some people claimed it would never happen.
https://libertyunyielding.com/2020/03/30/more-trump-dumping-that-didnt-age-well-rachel-maddow-on-the-arrival-of-the-hospital-ships/
This is also relevant to What We’ve Learned So Far:
Media figures who lie about Republicans never suffer negative consequences.
“…made me cry…”
Yes, moving, inspiring. Let’s hope it can make a difference, together with the Good Samaritans in Central Park—and the doctors and health care workers throughout the city…and beyond.
(But might one wonder whether Maddow—referenced by AF above—is also crying? Hmmm, tears of rage, maybe: GRRR, I’M WRONG AGAIN!!! GRRR. But then by now she ought to be used to that…. Though of course for her it’s a HOLY CRUSADE, which is why she is ALWAYS granted immediate and absolute absolution…by the powers that be, and, most importantly, by her own self.)