I love writing simple healthy recipes for you that work every single time. But something terrible is happening in my beloved country.
It’s so incredibly sad that I can’t bake it away with a batch of my world-famous Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies the way I usually do.
Shut Up and Bake
For those of you who tell me to stick to the recipes, i.e., shut up and bake, I’m providing you this link to my Low-Carb Dessert Recipes, so stop reading this and hop on over to that!
Don’t worry, I totally understand. Sometimes things are just too much. Like right now.
COVID US Death Toll Hits 200,000
For the rest of you, this month, the US death toll for COVID hit 200,000. Given how much I love our incredible country this saddens me greatly. We are losing the war on COVID and it is a national tragedy.
US COVID Deaths off the Charts
We are in desperate need of solutions. According to Fox News, the USA suffers from 20% of COVID deaths in the world, although we are only 4% of the world’s population.1
Losing a Loved One to COVID
On a more personal level, the pandemic has impacted so many families, including my own. We Lost a Loved One to COVID in April and then went through the bizarre process of grieving during the pandemic.
COVID National Tragedy
Although I’ve been writing about health for two decades, the devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic is the most traumatic thing I’ve seen by far. I can’t remotely compare it to what I experienced with my own MS Diagnosis, as the failures of this national tragedy make MS look like a picnic.
The War on COVID
Just to give some perspective, more people have died of COVID-19 than all of the US soldiers lost in the Korean War and each military conflict we’ve engaged in thereafter.2
It is as if we have had a 9/11 attack every day for 67 straight days.3 This is the death toll. And it keeps rising.
What Can We Do About COVID?
Here are some of my first hand COVID experiences. Additionally, I’ve outlined those of friends, as well as things I’ve read about.
COVID Testing
I live in Boulder, Colorado. Free COVID-19 testing just came here, that’s great. But may I ask why it didn’t start until Friday, September 18, 2020? We are at war against COVID. We can do better than this.
COVID PPE Shortage
Although not much talked about in the media, there is still a shortage of personal protective equipment or PPE.
When my husband and I went to get COVID tests earlier this month, we noticed the nurses did not change gloves between patients. This is unsanitary. The nurses confirmed it is due to the national PPE shortage.
Are We at War on COVID?
When we are at war, state governments should not be haggling against each other for resources. Traditionally this is the responsibility of the federal government.
However, when asked about coordinating supplies for our front line warriors, the White House responded that the federal government “is not a shipping clerk, “4 Wrong answer.
COVID Mask Wearing
I’m not looking for equivocation on mask-wearing or statements about how waiters feel about this issue.5 I don’t look to waiters for direction on how to conduct myself in the war on COVID, I look to executive leadership to take a stand.
Along those lines, I’m so grateful that Governor Polis has done this in Colorado. There are some bright spots in how the pandemic has been handled.
But in the end, there really isn’t that much of a political divide when it comes to mask-wearing. Both Democrats like Polis and Republicans, such as McConnell are far from cowardly when it comes to taking a stand that sends a clear and consistent message on mask-wearing.
Masks Suck
No one likes wearing a mask, it’s not fun. But neither is an economic lockdown. We’ve seen other countries use mask-wearing to get COVID under control so that their economies can re-open. Although we used to be a leader in these types of things, it’s not too late to learn!
Make America Again
The United States is an amazing country. During World War II we produced B-24 bombers around the clock. at its height, they were manufactured every two hours.6 As an American this type of historical accomplishment gives me hope.
It’s Not Too Late
It is not too late for a national government effort using the Defense Production Act to address shortages of testing materials and PPE to protect out amazing health warriors on the front line. It’s time to wage war against this terrible disease before another 100,000 American lives are lost.
DamselflyDiary says
I just said to my husband, “I am getting more and more anxious as we approach this election.” I am pretty sure I am going to have an emotional breakdown after the election – either from sheer relief that this tyranny is over, or in sheer desperation and grief that democracy as we knew it is over.
I wish I could bake it away but if I do, I will eat it all! And I am not generally a stress eater (or drinker for that matter) but this year has been exceptional on all fronts.
I too am grateful to live in a state (same as yours) with a governor that is responsible and reasonable and I have found most residents here are respectful and cautious. Hopefully the rest of country will return to homeostatis very early next year.
Please don’t shut up but definitely still bake.
Elana says
Damselfly, first thank you for all you do in making masks during this terrible pandemic! And thank you for being so generous in sending me one! Agree that this year has been quite exceptional on all fronts. Thank you for telling me not to shut up but definitely bake. You are wonderful :-)
Kristin says
Amen and amen! America should have been wearing masks no later than last weekend in February when first known epicenter of COVID broke out in the town next to my home, Kirkland, WA, where we shop, get gas, go to doctor and dentist appointments, etc. By early April, my family was directed impacted. My husband, myself, and my oldest child tested positive. My son and I had mild cases. My husband’s was worse, being hospitalized with COVID pneumonia and blood clots in his lungs. Thankfully, he recovered and came home to us. Scariest time of our lives. Keep speaking the truth! Masks and social distancing save lives! And thank you for the awesome recipes that contribute to our health.
Elana says
Kristin, love your perspective and my heart goes out to you and your family for suffering through this terrible disease, so scary. Agree with you, masks and social distancing, along with healthy recipes contribute to our health. It’s pretty simple and I’m so blessed that we are on this journey together. Thanks for your comment and sharing your story here :-)
Love says
Dear Elana,
This. 100% exactly as you said. Big love and Hugs! Thank you for sharing your heart, mind, humanity and compassion— I hope you never censor your heart and thoughts, and I support you. Many folks I know are taking things seriously, but many aren’t, and as someone who is higher risk (and who lives with two very high risk parents), my heart aches at those who cannot comprehend the basic respect and science behind wearing a mask, nor the seriousness of the lives lost.
Big Love again (and my children and partner LOVE your recipes, as do I) from Longmont!
Elana says
Love, thank you for your incredible support. My heart aches along with yours in so many ways. Big hugs and so much love to you and yours in beautiful Longmont :-)
Lissa Beebe says
I appreciate that you have elevated this topic. Yes, it’s political (sadly and unbelievably) but I think you have done a masterful job of trying hard not to further polarize this country and your followers. Thank you. I appreciate your intelligent approach to this. I’m so sorry for your loss and for the losses felt by 200,000 US families and 1 million families across the world. Terribly sad. Yes, we are better than this. And yes, we can do better and will.
Elana says
Lissa, we can do so much better than this! Stay safe and be well :-)
valerie says
I agree with everything you wrote! Do I WANT to wear a mask everywhere I go? No. Do I WANT to get sick or get someone else sick? NO. It’s such a simple thing to do and I think it’s unbelievably selfish to fight against wearing a mask. I live in Indiana and we have had a mask mandate in place since July. I hope it doesn’t end until there is a widespread vaccine, but I also know so many (including many in my own family) disagree with me and consider it an affront to their “rights” (sigh). Anyway, THANK YOU for using your voice for such an important issue.
Elana says
Valerie, thanks so much for your wonderful comment! Agree, masks are the worst, but agree more, not wearing masks is even worse. Hugs and take care :-)
LindaSue says
Exactly, well-said. Thank you for standing up, putting yourself out there, encouraging all of us, and reminding us that we cannot be complacent about the pandemic. I agree, we can do better and we absolutely should do better. I made and donated over two hundred masks and many surgical caps for medical personnel and outfitted a good part of my neighborhood too. I was happy to be a part of the effort to help keep our dedicated medical workers protected, but I too was aghast that this country did not have the needed supplies and that it was every state, facility, or organization for itself. Thanks for all you do to keep us healthy. All the best to you and yours, be safe and well.
Elana says
LindaSue, thanks for your wonderful comment as well as everything you’ve done to keep us healthy during this pandemic!!!
Lex says
Thank you for saying this, and please do NOT listen to anyone who thinks you should just “shut up and bake”. ❤️
Elana says
Lex, thanks so much and big hugs to you :-)
Selkie says
I came to your blog to look for information on how to make zoodles and I found this on your homepage. Fortunately, I know how to use a search bar.
I love your work and recipes – but I love the commentary you have chosen to contribute to this tenuous moment even more <3
Elana says
Selkie, thank you and well said! It is such a tenuous moment. And here’s the link to those Zoodles for you:
https://elanaspantry.com/how-to-make-zoodles/
Enjoy!
Elana
Heather says
I so agree and appreciate that you are willing to write about this. I just can’t comprehend why people find it so difficult to wear a mask (and correctly!). So, please, do not just “shut up and bake”. :)
Elana says
Heather, point taken willingly :-)
f evans says
Elana, I love and appreciate ALL you have to offer on YOUR page. Those who wish to manage what you say and how you say it, well…they must have a lot of anger and have a lot of time on their hands to manage someone else’s page! Thank you for all your hard work. My family enjoys what your recipes bring to them, and I enjoy and appreciate that too, as well as your sharing all you have of yourself with the world. It’s hard and it’s brave. And we can’t just be pleasers in this life. We have to be who we are and give our gifts willingly and freely, hoping for kindness. You do this, and you always have.
Elana says
F Evans, thanks for your wonderful comment! It’s so nice to have support, though I don’t ever expect it. Glad we are on this healing path together and take good care:-)