The "Kum ba yah" aspects of "Global Coronavirus Pandemic"

You are not the only one. Apparently, people in my neighborhood have taken to howling out their windows at 8PM. Why? I don't know. I'm assuming they are idiots. I received a notice from nextdoor about it.

The "alone together" bullshit? Yeah, it's wearing thin but I've seen worse. Russell Stover is currently running an ad that urges us to send their candy to those we can no longer hug in person. That's pretty despicable to use this pandemic to make money from candy and guilt. Stanley Steamer has an ad that at least makes sense even if it is a blatant attempt to get money. It urges employers to use this down time to have their offices thoroughly cleaned while the employees are away.

You’re not the only one. My husband and I are cynical assholes and mock all of it.

If I hear one more rendition of "Imagine", I will puke. I love the song when Lennon sings it but i can't even figure out how it applies lyrically to what is going on right now. I don't think the people singing it know either.

couldn't be any worse than after 9/11.

I have been waiting for it to start, actually. For once the entire planet has the same problem and should theoretically be sharing a goal. I am probably too idealistic but I hoped we would make more of this opportunity as human beings.

Yes, particularly all the mushy shit about growing closer to our families because we are getting to spend more time together than ever before. I don't know about anybody else's family, but mine is getting fed up with each other's presences. They are grating on each other's nerves and are arguing a little bit more each day if anything.

No. Better than deaths from toilet paper brawls!

With you R6

Why do people keep saying that "we will get through this" when clearly some of us will die?

All the idiots posting their videos to "reach out" and "connect" and "share" are doing nothing but celebrating themselves, as usual. Another solipsist egofest.

Sidewalk chalk art. Teddy bears, bugs, shamrocks and shit in people's windows. Fucking 100-car 'birthday parades' through the neighborhood, followed by a self-congratulatory FB posting frenzy. Jesus PETE. Oh, and painted ROCKS placed along sidewalks, with morale-boosting nonsense written on them.

It's typically American sentimental claptrap. You know, when really sad people place really sad teddy bears and really sad candles at whatever really sad site of some really sad tragedy to show people how really, really sad they are. It's nauseating.

Yes! At 7pm people have started banging pots and pans...as a show of appreciation for the people on the front line? I hope it doesn't go on forever, we could be stuck indoors for MONTHS!

"We're all in this together."

Yes, which is why people empty store shelves so they can hoard food, water, soap, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, etc., all for themselves and don't give a damn whether or not anybody else gets the things they need. And also why entire groups of friends are going out to party on the beach together despite being told to stay home 10,062 times.

That fucking pot-banging is gonna drive the first responders and healthcare workers right over the edge. Meaningless BULLSHIT. LIKE 'THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS'.

Oh I'm with you R12. A lady I know posted a thing on FB asking if any churches are offering "drive up palms" for Palm Sunday. She lives in Florida where palm trees are literally everywhere.

I'm actually seeing more civic-mindedness that I ever expected to see in what remains of my life. People with "essential" jobs are beavering a way even though they're worried about their own health, those who are stuck at home are working contacts to get PPE to local hospitals, healthcare workers are doing what they can in spite of the risks, and individuals are doing things like sewing cloth masks or taking on more child care so "essential" workers can do more, or taking over elder care because the primary caregiver is a healthcare worker.

I'm not seeing as much of the annoying self-congratulations as some of you, but then I'm not on Facebook. What is Facebook for, if not annoying self-congratulation.

You can who is melting down by going onto Facebook. The posts every 5 mins are insane!

There is a family in my apt building who have taken to riding their bikes around and around in circles in the parking lot while shouting out their family business. The last thing I heard the annoying attention-starved wife shout to hubby: "Oh I found a horse trailer!!" To which the husband replied "Yeah, we aren't getting THAT any time soon". The wife then cackled with laughter while continuing to ride in circles. I get the impression they think they are adorably entertaining to the rest of us fucking PAYING TO LIVE THERE IN PEACE. And way to try to humble brag about the horse trailer, stupid cunt.

People cheering at 7 pm every night is a gesture of thanks for the healthcare workers who are risking their lives, unlike anyone on this thread. While I can get behind banal acts of community spirit, the united front of support every night at 7 is actually an important thing. I'm sorry if it bothers some of the fragile souls on this thread who don't like their "peace" interrupted, but it's at least a gesture of appreciation no one should be thumbing their noses at.

"While I can't get behind banal acts of community spirit"

Fixed.

Except, R21, that the healthcares are workers are at work and aren't around to hear the self-congratulatory idiots yelling out their windows as they signal to themselves how awesome they are for giving back to the first responders.

[quote]people in my neighborhood have taken to howling out their windows at 8PM.

Where do you live?

Romania?

R23, there are such things as recordings that capture these bursts of appreciation for the healthcare workers to see later, they are a record of community appreciation, and that there's nothing "self-congratulatory" (especially since they can't be seen in their enthusiasm, applauding from inside their homes), nor are they "idiots." But I would say the naysayers of public expressions of appreciation to healthcare workers are the ones who are self-congratulatory. There is such thing as being too cool for school, too cynical, and UNDERappreciative.

What exactly are you doing to show gratitude to the selfless people risking their lives if you can't even be bothered to stick your head out a window, R23?

“Bursts of appreciation” are meaningless R25

Give those heath care workers better protection and better pay.

Those two things will be forgotten as soon as this crisis is past.

And STFU R21 why are you on this thread, or this site at all? Go the fuck away, we don't want you here.

[quote]Except, that the healthcares are workers are at work and aren't around to hear the self-congratulatory idiots yelling out their windows as they signal to themselves how awesome they are for giving back to the first responders.

No, not necessarily, some of them are probably at home after working an exhausting 12 hour shift and are trying their best to catch some much needed sleep if it weren't for all that racket taking place with people banging pots and pans to post on YouTube.

The same goes for those endless fucking birthday party carparades with everyone honking their horns as they drive by.

OP, what's the alternative? Declare defeat, get depressed and find comfort in making suicide pacts with other individuals who abandoned all hope? Is that what you are advocating for? What good does your cynical stance do in this worldwide crisis?

If people trying to uplift and attempt to support each other from a distance (even on something as "meaningless" as social media) annoys you then it's best to go a bit further with your social distancing and cut yourself off completely from society and in that case:

r29 that's a misread. I'm not saying the Kum ba yah needs to stop. I'm saying the treacly stuff annoys me personally. Also some people are attention whores and use coronavirus narratives not as a way to support the community.

People are welcome to find and express their support according to their style. I'm using social media for support.

They could something material and useful r29, rather then on social media.

Without support that exists in the real world, it’s just emotional masturbation that doesn’t nothing for the health care workers.

Are you a straight woman?

Any praise for the workers, including grocery store folks in the line of fire, is fine with me. I sure wouldn't do it and they don't even seem uneasy most of the time. But I DO hate when companies -- too many to name -- try to use this crisis as a way to sell something, just as they did with war, 9/11, etc. The more folksy they get in their ads, the worse it is. "We're all in this together... so buy a new Toyota and we'll protect your family with free roadside service for six months!"

Vomit. And these ads seemed to spring up overnight. Preplanned?

DL has some of the most cynical cunts on Earth.

[quote] that's a misread. I'm not saying the Kum ba yah needs to stop. I'm saying the treacly stuff annoys me personally.

It annoyed you so much that you had to start a thread about it. You couldn't just, you know, leave it be and rather focus on something that doesn't annoy you. No, you had to be that cynical troll who poo-poos all over it for some reason. Trying to find like-minded cynics, haters, and losers ... for what exactly, create a cynical circle jerk that gets you where exactly?

It gets me among like-minded cynics on DL for some camaraderie. Duh.

R32 shows an example of profiteering that merits a certain cynicism.

Only you, nasty school marm, think I would have a hissy fit at some suburb's "candles of hope in a bag" event.

I'm happy there haven't been universal "catch phrases" yet. Boilerplate Kum ba yah. They're coming, though.

Verbal praise is useless to exhausted and traumatized workers on the front lines.

Donate to charities. Bake cookies for the health care workers. Offer to babysit their kids and walk their pets.

All of those I have done in the last 3 weeks. What I have not done is engaged in virtue signaling by social media, banged pots at 7:00 pm, and howled at the moon in Denver.

Words and sentiments without actions are meaningless bullshit.

We're presently waiting for the result of the covid 19 test done on my son, a health care worker. Take your Russell Stover's, your new cars delivered to your house and your kum-bay-a singing and stick them straight up your ass.

[quote] It's typically American sentimental claptrap. You know, when really sad people place really sad teddy bears and really sad candles at whatever really sad site of some really sad tragedy to show people how really, really sad they are. It's nauseating.

The English do this as well. (Princess Diana.)

[quote] DL has some of the most cynical cunts on Earth.

That's why I like DL. No, you shouldn't be, literally, cynical all the time. But I do like pushing past the first layer of things.

A healthy cynicism is a great thing. I like (and miss) critical thinking.

Fuck you, R27, you cunt. You don't own this thread. I'll be on any fucking thread I want, you insufferable twat.

Rw6, do you really think it's really up to the people applauding to arrange better pay and protection? Are you that simple?

"Bake cookies for the health care workers."

Talk about meaningless, R36!

I'm one of the cynics, but bringing baked goods (maybe not homemade, but Krispy Kreme or something) to workers sounds like a good idea. I'm so grateful to the workers at my local grocery stores.

More meaningful that empty cheers online.

What have you done R42?

It seems to me getting one's greasy paws all over homebaked goodies isn't the best thank you gift to healthcare workers already stressed out working in toxic deadly hospitals. Perhaps something more sanitary?

Who's cheering online, R44, you silly twat? People are cheering out their windows.

Let's see--what have I done? I've given money and donated blood. And you?

Read my post at r36, you twat

Cheering out of your window is as useless as it is on social media

And I highly doubt that you have given blood or donated money

Oh do you doubt, gash R47? Because I'm very sure YOU haven't done shit. All you do is bitch on DL, like the trash queen that you are, to whom everything is useless but for being a cunt on DL.

I've read your useless posts. Talk about a waste of time.

R45 before I baked those cookies, I cleared with my neighbor, a nurse who works for the county health department . She said “the nurses and doctors would totally eat the cookies.” I sent the cookies to work with her. They were devoured within an hour, I got a thank you, and they said that they would like more cookies if I had time to make them. So far, I’ve sent four boxes of cookies and I’ve been thanked for each one of them.

Krispy Kreme doughnuts are only good when they are hot. After they cool down, they’re inedible.

R48 then we shall both consider each other a useless cunt.

I know what I did, and you know what you did.

And you did not donate blood, nor money, and you’re cheering is insincere and worthless.

Well good for you for the cookies - keep on baking!

R50, you're such a lame ass you can't even pretend you did anything, when I, in fact, did give blood, and gave money to two different places.

While youcan't even bother to support medical workers because you're too busy felching on DL. Cunt.

Yawn ^

^Loser who does nothing.^

I follow many Broadway performers (saw and/or met many live/in-person), and they're doing their best to support each other via performing artist fundraisers, most prominently Seth Rudetsky's group conference 'events.'

But the sound quality is awful! They could also dress up a bit, use props or hang fun backdrops, as it's visually unappealing to see a bunch of low-angle faces.

For 'regular' people, the 'I'm wearing a mask in my bathroom' profile pics are so last week.

A sassy take on OP's complaint:

Sorry, r25, r23 has it right. it's pure narcissism and a typical example of inverted empathy.

I don't know him and he's funny and, great apartment! R56

It’s sentimental, feel-good bullshit, OP, and attention whoring You want to show respect and support the community? Stay home, give people their space in public, don’t hoard, and wear a mask. No teddy bears, cookies, or “alone together” tripe. I didn’t know you people before this and I sure as hell don’t want to know you now.

Right ....like you have the option of “knowing” anyone r59

I don't get why people feel so alone. Most of them probably use social media now more than ever. They say people need people, bullshit. Home is my favorite place and I'm not lonely.

R57 would be much happier in an era where this wasn't quite so much inverted empathy.

I'd be at my happiest if there wasn't any inverted empathy at all, r52. It is an Orwellian nightmare of solipsism and navel-gazing and the flip side of cancel culture...

Yes, R63, it's worse than Hitler.

This morning I saw more moronic chalk art on the sidewalks, including 'BE BOLD'. I looked at the house connected to it and said, 'Go fuck yourself.' What the Hell does that even mean, now!? BE BOLD and self-entitled by leaving your house and BOLDLY wading out into public to do whatever!? Fuck these TWITS!

Yesterday someone posted on FB a video of a young teenage girl singing Hallelujah in her driveway in the suburbs (complete with microphone and speakers set up by her fat frau stage mom). You know the girl and her parents are hoping she is "discovered", but they also get to be HEROES to their whole downtrodden community!! Her singing is BOLD and BRAVE (not at all thirsty or attention-seeking.) If I lived in her neighborhood I would have called the cops. Nobody asked for your impromptu concert and we literally are a captive audience. Go back inside if you want to do your fucking karaoke.

I live in a resort town that is going to be decimated by this - and many of my friends are seriously affected - so I should be more understanding, but the 'kum ba yah' and social media drama and prancing is out of control. If I wasn't cynical before, I sure am now. It's just ridiculous.

I'm not sure any of these people are the slightest bit aware that they're doing it for themselves, not who they claim to be celebrating. And I can't help but think that the ultimate desire is to - ironically - 'go viral'.

Having said that, times are bad, and if it all makes people feel better and cope better...the cynic in me should probably just go be quiet in the corner. And stop reading social media before I slit my throat. And do whatever I can quietly.

I just wish that all the people that decided it's time to text me had something to actually say besides, "Strange times!"

R32 - Yeah, I was shocked at how many new commercials (even local small businesses) were able to craft new commercials during the lockdown.

It was pretty impressive. But you can't cancel your entire media order at a TV station without at least a week or more notice. So their regular commercials would have seemed tone-deaf, so they had to do something.

But still surprising how many mom-and-pops with limited ad budgets were able to make new commercials.

Yeah, I know what you mean R67. But we should be safe here on good old DL to express our cynicism. It's the one place where we can. After all, if you don't have anything nice to say....

I have mixed feelings about it. In the UK a movement has got going for people to applaud essential workers at 20.00 every Thursday. Very commendable, a nice gesture. I understand that people want to show their appreciation.

Last week I looked out my window and saw all my neighbours participating. Quite a few of them were looking around to check who had seen them being nice people. It felt mawkish and self congratulatory.

I am a nurse in the NHS, and the past few weeks have been utterly exhausting. Many of my colleagues have self isolated, leaving fewer staff to deal with the workload. Getting a round of applause doesn’t make up for the fact that the current Westminster government has spent ten years trying to privatise and dismantle the NHS. They have even gone as far as to take supplies of personal protective equipment intended for and paid for by the devolved health services in Scotland and Wales.

Every time a Conservative politician urges the public to “stay at home and protect the NHS” I want to scream at them for their hypocrisy. When this is all over they will go back normal.

Back TO normal.

Exactly r71 / r72

Soon, you will go back to being taken for granted and being expendable.

You won’t get more pay or better protection.

Hollow, send congratulatory cheers are all that will you get.

SELF congratulatory

If you keep your job, I can see how people might enjoy the novelty of the situation.

But to people who are losing out due to an overzealous lockdown, this shit ain't adorable.

Can't get worse than this. Shoot me already.

R66, I was just about to mention that. A friend of mine posted it and I couldn't stop laughing. The fact that they set up speakers so that the whole neighborhood could hear their little angel's voice had me breaking out into hysterics. I kept waiting for someone across the way to scream "shut the fuck up!"

I have no desire to see the children or pets of any news or talk show host working from home.

It pisses me off because I know most of them are still garbage like always. I’m still working with the public and people are even worse than usual. I can imagine those losers all feeling smug thinking they’re saving the world. If only they had given that kind of consideration to breeding. They howl and bang pots in my neighborhood at seven.

[quote]This morning I saw more moronic chalk art on the sidewalks, including 'BE BOLD'.

Please tell me that, in true DL fashion, you returned to the scene in the dark of night with your own chalk and wrote, "SHOW HOLE" underneath it.

"They howl and bang pots in my neighborhood at seven."

What an outrage, R79!

r81 the issue is that it's annoying and pointless and is some sort of forced group therapy for people who feel helpless and afraid, but are also too self-absorbed to do anything but the equivalent mantra "thank you for your service".

Let them remember that helplessness and fear and who was there next time Democrats want to increase the minimum wage, essential employees want to form a union, teachers strike because they're chronically underfunded, Trumpers (continuing) to try to destroy the Affordable Care Act, and don't vote in these assholes like Mitch McConnell and every other current Republican who consistently vote against their best interests in order to starve the Federal and local governments and increase corporations' profits.

And especially given how fast said corporations have been to lay off millions of employees at the first hint of economic trouble - FUCK THEM. Force them to take care of the essential workers, and put in a strong government backstop to protect those that don't have jobs.

"the issue is that it's annoying and pointless and is some sort of forced group therapy for people who feel helpless and afraid, but are also too self-absorbed to do anything but the equivalent mantra "thank you for your service".

Take that board out of your ass, R82.

r83 No problem, if I can then whack you over the head with it.

R84, no you may not, but you may wash the sand out of your vadge when you do take that board out, you miserable cunt.

Today on a morning walk, I saw various types of sidewalk chalk art. Most of it the usual. Then I saw, in two different places, exhortations to 'Radiate Positivity!' and "Be Bold!" Both of which struck me as stupid and useless claptrap. The corker, though, was late last week when some religious cunt in Lake Highlands (Dallas) posted on and on on a community FB page about erecting a large cross on her front lawn and inviting one and all to come and worship at the cross and ponder the wonderful resurrection of blah-blah-blahbiddy-blah. SHE ACTUALLY ASKED PEOPLE TO WRITE OUT THEIR SINS ON LITTLE SCROLLS OF PAPER AND DEPOSIT THEM IN A HOLE IN THE CROSS. They would later be buried -- SURE, JAN. More like, read out loud around an Easter weenie roast and laughed about. Soo-ooooo nauseating, all this SHIT.

r85 So your response to me stating the obvious (to non idiots, apparently) is to attack me? Presumably you are team Kum ba yah, so shouldn't you be licking my ass instead? Otherwise you're setting a very bad example, and should kill yourself.

NO ONE would lick your nasty ass, R87. As for killing oneself--you first, gash.

r89 you're the one cluttering up this thread with your comments on how - somehow - the shrieking out of the windows (or recordings after the fact, because all the healthcare workers are working) is somehow helping people. When in reality, it's just a way for people to feel good about themselves while doing nothing of legitimate value to anyone.

You sound like a thoroughly unpleasant person. I can see why you'd be pro-meaningless gesture rather than anything, you know, actually useful. How long have you voted Republican? Was it after your soul escaped your body, or were you just dropped on your head as a young tot?

R90, you're actually the one who sounds like a Republicunt. People cheering out a window for a couple minutes really seems to make you butt-hurt.

As for me, I've donated both blood and money. And I vote Democrat. And I think cheering out a window is a great expression of a city showing love. The rest of it I agree is nonsense. But why people like you get their panties in a twist over enthusiastic expressions of support I don't know. One has to wonder why you're such a fucking bitter bitch.

And now I'd like to ask what the bitter bitch R90 has done for anyone during all this besides piss and moan about people applauding out their windows for a couple minutes every day?

Live! Laugh! Love!

Die! Cry! Hate!

r91 it's funny how you are the one being such a nasty cunt to everyone in this thread - with your dozens of posts, namecalling and bullying people - for not agreeing with your viewpoint. The rest of us are just stating the obvious. But "thank you for your service".*

So let's see - you said you've donated blood. So you're either not gay, or you have no sex life, which would explain the Bitter Betty attitude coming from you.

And to whom did you donate money to, and how much? I'm curious.

R95, I've donated to both Meals on Wheels and a friend's local business when he set up a fund for his employees because he had to shut down and let all of them go for the time being.

And I'm gay and I have donated blood. I always have. And I have a sex life. I just ignore their homophobic rules and don't tell them I'm gay because I'm HIV-free and STD-free.

And YOU, R95? WTF have you done? Where have you donated or volunteered? You haven't offered up anything that you've done. Because you haven't? And yet it's much better to bitch about others.

As for the rest of you stating the obvious, you're stating the obvious fact you're cunts.

I never ever ever ever want to hear the phrase "We're all in this together" again. They missed to boat when they called it Covid 19. It should be the High School Musical Pandemic

Bill Maher is climbing a tree in his back yard and challenging Jimmy Fallon to climb an even higher tree in his back yard. OMFG, what have we come to.

Well is it getting on your nerves now?