Every time there is a flood, wildfire, hurricane – afterward, some folks decide to express their perspective that the victims are somehow to blame.

Why do they live close to the ocean? Why did they rebuild there after the last flood? Fires come every summer, what were they thinking?

Leaving aside, for now, how little this perspective takes systemic factors into account, let’s recognize that a global pandemic is qualitatively different.

My choice to live in a specific geographic area has nothing to do with how safe I am from a virus. Nor is my choice to attending gatherings or not wearing a mask limited to risking my own health.

Risk is shared, it doesn’t stop at the edge of my choices. Health is shared, mine isn’t protected by myself alone.

Once and for all, we need to protect one another to get through this.

Be safe, be well, be kind.