With the belief that humor in the midst of tragedy is a relief and the hope that silly signs will make you smile, I’ve repurposed some photos I took in pre-distancing days.
One more, which isn’t silly despite its mangled grammar:
These days, real heroes definitely don’t wear capes. They wear scrubs. They wear masks (when they can get them). They wear a calm face, no matter how fearful they are. They are the doctors, nurses, aides, EMTs, janitors, clerks, and everyone else who fights this disease. They deserve thanks — and every possible support — from all of us.
It took me a millisecond to agree with your comment about today’s heroes, but I’m still struggling to understand why the grammar’s mangled.
Hi, Bill. Because it says “all heroes don’t” it means that “no heroes do.” I think what they mean is “not all heroes” because some do (e.g. Superman) and some don’t. Hope you’re well!
In trying to parse the original phrase, I eliminated “don’t” and added “not” to its beginning, thus making it read, “Not all heroes wear capes.” It’s a practice I learned from a couple of my Asian students. First, they digitally translate their reading assignments to Chinese, then write their responses in Chinese, and then digitally translate them back to English. Hmmm! Maybe I’m not so well.
First, I hope you are well! Scary times we’re in. Second, I have had the same sort of bounce between Spanish and English. When my Spanish friends are here or I am in Spain, I find myself “backtranslating” from Spanish to English when I begin an all-English conversation. It’s a strange feeling! Stay safe, Bill.
Hi Gerri! Totally agree re heroes! Best example from these parts (in Montreal) is a janitor who took over making all the meals over three days at a nursing home. Why? Because many staff members – including the chef – fled, either due to illness or fear of catching the virus from other positive staff or residents!
In the midst of heartbreak, the best people have stepped up, and they are often the least appreciated in “normal” times. I hope (but do not expect) that their heroism will receive recognition, financial and otherwise. They deserve it!
At first glance I could understand why the grammar in the last photo is mangled: I’ve been studying in a Logic-filled Geometry text. The exercises about negation of statements help a lot understanding grammar.
And about your comment on real heroes, those who don’t wear capes, it took me a nanosecond to agree.
Thanks for your comment: heroes, indeed, and more so every day. Be well! Stay safe!