Went to Kirtan a couple weeks ago. It was the first one held in two years indoors. Last summer we had a few outdoor Kirtans at Redwood Park in Arcata. This was the first back at Om Shala Yoga Studio. Only four musicians, but maybe the rest will return once things get more established. The event attracted a pretty good crowd. I counted about 60 people.
It was good. Very, very good.
Then something bad happened. Well, maybe not bad, but very inappropriate. After the end, a lady started circulating a petition for “health choice freedom.” Only it wasn’t about a woman’s health choices. It wasn’t about abortion. It was a petition against mask and vaccine mandates.
I had to hold my tongue when she approached me. You know, I’ve written about this in the past. Back at the height of the pandemic, it was my opinion that the Govt. build some new internment camps. I would -propose that a fleet of vans be sent out and go door to door, equipped with nurses and National Guardsmen.
The Nurse knocks on the door, “Hello how are you? Have you been vaccinated?” “Yes, I have.” “Very good. Have a nice day.”
Next stop, “”Hello how are you? Have you been vaccinated?” “No, I haven’t.” “I can vaccinate you right here, right now.” “Great, let me have it!.”
Next stop, ““Hello how are you? Have you been vaccinated?” “No.” “Ok, I can vaccinate you right here, right now.” “No, I don’t believe in that.” “Ok. No worries,” and then the nurse signals to the National Guardsman to take the person, or persons, into custody. They are taken to an internment camp to live with other unvaccinated people.
I know this isn’t probably a very popular idea, but, “the good of the many outweighs the good of the few.”
But I didn’t confront this woman. Not at Kirtan. I wasn’t going to counter an inappropriate act with another. So I lied. I told her I had signed it at Safeway. She kind of gave me the stink eye. I think she knew I was lying. Well, I wear this red string around my left wrist. It’s to ward off just such a thing.
But – you know? Kirtan is sacred space. Politics should be left outside the door.
I have spoken.
