The Messenger Always Gets Shot

We are 200 years in the future but the role of the town crier lives on.

People would gather around in their town squares, to hear the town crier make public announcements. Criers often dress elaborately, by a tradition dating to the 18th century, in a red and gold coat, white breeches, black boots and a tricorne hat. They are known for ringing their bell and delivering the news.

These days, we are on Twitter, ringing the bell and delivering news and warnings.

Some listen, some don’t.

Back in Feb.2020, after a few months of chatter on Twitter and in the news, I started warning my friends and family about Covid. I told my mother-in-law to make sure she had enough food/supplies in the house. She said she had enough meat for 2 weeks. I was like ? I meant shelf-stable items and a full freezer. Toilet paper, things like that.

No, I said, correcting myself. This is a long-term issue, better prepare. She still didn’t get it. As a Boomer, she had never lived through a pandemic and at almost 80, didn’t know what I was talking about.

I decided to let it go and I started going on Facebook to warn people. No one really took it that well. I got “it’s a cold”, “the lockdown is only 2 weeks” and from my husband who was on a…