Because I am a mental health professional, I’m being asked how to remain calm and hopeful during this crisis.
I have two short answers: Science and resistance.
Science is our hope. Science is the implementation of reason. Reason is our means of survival, including coping. In the case of coronavirus, we’re talking about medical science.
By science, I don’t mean some bureaucrat, like Dr. Fauci sitting in the Swamp world of D.C. (where he has been insulated for decades) saying we have to shut down the country for years, if necessary, in order to avoid catching coronavirus. I’m referring to a real scientist, one who will find a cure or (more likely) an effective treatment for this virus. This will hopefully save the lives of the minority of people for whom this virus is fatal. Keep in mind that for most, it’s not fatal.
Two, resistance. I’m referring to rational resistance to hapless authority. I have no reason to believe the lockdowns and other arguable overreactions to coronavirus will stop in even 4-6 weeks. The entire premise of the lockdowns is “better safe than sorry”. It seems like common sense to most people now, I realize. But common sense at what price? And for how long? Are those who think it’s crazy to contemplate NOT doing indefinite lockdowns going to feel the same by July 4? Or by election time in November? Do kids and parents want schools shut down into the next school year so that there’s ZERO possibility that even ONE child get the coronavirus?
“Better safe than sorry”. At the price of job losses and a downturn in the economy that might end up worse than the Great Depression? It will, if we keep everything shut down for months or longer. How could it not? Is that what you’d call “safe”? I believe this will start to dawn on people as weeks drag on and we don’t seem to be getting the bang for our buck that we were promised with these lockdowns. I’m disappointed more are not questioning the lockdowns (or even martial law being proposed by some), but they’re afraid of being seen as politically incorrect. That’s OK. In time, you’ll find the courage to say aloud what you’re already thinking. If not, then you deserve to lose your freedom.
People are going to resist. They’re going to rise up and question their leaders and authorities who have promised them guaranteed protection from the coronavirus that actually won’t be achieved by the lockdowns. The restrictions are already failing. The more they fail, the more the Governors and Dr. Faucis blame the people, and the more restrictions they impose. As more and more people see this fact, and as the Governors and Dr. Fauci refuse to back down, and in fact only intensify their controls and restrictions, people are going to get really, really frustrated and pissed off.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Anger can be healthy. Remember, America was started by people who got really, really pissed off but were rational yet strong about it. I think something like that is going to happen with coronavirus panic. Not right away. But before long. I am counting on it.
No, I cannot guarantee it will happen. Perhaps America IS over and we will all become permanent sheep dependent on the pittance of a government check. And bread lines, like in Bernie Sanders’ cherished Soviet Russia and Venezuela. If all production stops, that will happen. Millions could die, not from coronavirus but from economic hard times from a crash like the world has never seen. But it’s even hard for me to believe that’s what most Americans want. I don’t know of any Trump haters or capitalism haters who are prepared for that kind of world. So at some point, resistance will not only NOT be futile … it will be powerful.
There are your two reasons to remain calm and cheerful. Science and resistance. Forget the media, and forget the politicians. They will bring us down, if we only listen to them. But I’m counting on Americans not to let them. Not in the end.
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