I am really mad, no pissed, about the death of Charlie Pride from COVID-19. I know that he was older. I know he had a full and amazing life. I know that ultimately, we are not the captains of our own ships. But he was also a man still producing music. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Grammy as well as winning multiple Grammy Awards, Country Music Awards, American Music Awards, and induction into the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame. He just performed at the CMA Awards. And that’s the rub for me.
Every public health professional is telling up to get somewhere and sit down. It doesn’t matter how many times you are tested and that the tests are negative. You can leave the testing center and immediately encounter someone who passes along their viral load to you. Masks help. Social distancing helps. Sanitizing helps. But a sure way to limit spread is to limit opportunities for spread. Just as abstinence doesn’t work as a safe sex message, I realize that it won’t work with COVID as well. We are social creatures. But please be more discriminate in who your partners are until the vaccinations have time to work.
- Limit your shopping trips and don’t take the whole family with you.
- Wear your masks as protection and not as an accessory. That means it should be thick and cover your nose and mouth without gaps.
- Don’t travel this holiday season unless you truly think it will be your only opportunity to see someone ever again.
- It’s impossible to eat and drink without removing your masks. Get takeout. Leave a tip for the waiters that didn’t serve you.
Charlie Pride was a first in many ways. I loved his music. I actually bid on one of his guitars at a fundraiser but of course had no chance of winning it. And that also tells you what kind of man he was in the community—he gave back. Son of a sharecropper, Negro league baseball player, Country music’s first Black star. When he first started performing no one mentioned his race or showed pictures of him due to racism—well look at him now, a shining star. Goodbye, Mr. Pride. May you rest in peace and rise in glory.
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I am with you on that he was always so nice to the flight attendants I’ve had him in first class many times it just breaks my heart I pray that Gods Peace and comfort be with his family🙏🏾
Thanks for sharing Phyllis. It’s always nice to see the human side of a celebrity!
I was really sad to hear this too. Too many people are dying. Come on world – we can do better!
I’m so happy that children are able to be vaccinated now for COVID. I have to say that I understand fear but I don’t understand fear that continues in the face of evidence. Smallpox, measles, polio, chickenpox–fairly rare in the US because of vaccinations. AIDS and Ebola survival now because of science–specifically virology. Gone to elementary school or university. SHOTS required. Gone into the military. SHOTS required. Travel to some other countries. SHOTS required. Want to increase your chances of surviving COVID and staying out of the hospital. SHOTS required.