To mask or not to mask? That is the question of the day. My apologies to William Shakespeare.

On May 26, 2020, I posted a Letter to the Editor in the Bitterroot Star (https://bitterrootstar.com/2020/05/action-and-reaction-the-consequences-to-come/ ), in which I asked some questions about what was going to happen as a result of the reaction, both official and unofficial, to the corona virus pandemic.

We are beginning to find out and it’s not looking good.

When 2Q GDP numbers came out recently, we learned that the American economy had contracted 32.9% annualized from the same period in 2019. This was the largest and steepest drop in history, far eclipsing even the worst of the Great Depression of the 1930’s. This came on the heels of the 1Q GDP contraction of 6.9% from the 1Q 2019. What is interesting is that the economy in early March was still registering a slight amount of growth, but essentially collapsed in the last half of the month, coinciding neatly with the extreme lockdown of the country.

Wile E. Coyote, anyone?

Projections and predictions are that the 3Q GDP figures will show up to a 15% increase over 2Q, but this is still a precipitous drop from 2019. Of course, it should be noted that projections and predictions are just that—guesses and estimates at best. It is entirely possible, perhaps even likely, that the economic losses will accelerate in the 3Q, due in large part to the zealousness of “officials” to destroy the economy based on what appears in hindsight to be nothing more serious than a “bad flu season.”

In the meantime, we fight with each other over bits of cloth covering our faces.

Let me put it in plain English so that everyone can understand it. It is the destruction of the economy and the accompanying societal breakdowns which are the existential threats to our way of life. Compared to what is coming, Covid-19 is a sideshow.

Where we go from here is not certain, but my guess (projection, prediction) is that it is going to be a rough, wild ride.