Don’t Fear the Virus

R.N. McManus

Nothing in life is to feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more so that we may fear less — Marie Curie

This past week has sprung startling and sweeping developments, events, and reactions that have upset the lives and routines of millions. It’s been like watching some cataclysmic event unfold in stages; like watching the attack on Pearl Harbor or the attacks of 9/11, only in slow motion. We’ve been attacked, there’s no question, by an unseen enemy, one that laughs at our defenses and our lack of preparedness. We’ve been attacked by one of mankind’s oldest enemies — a virus. Not even a living organism but more like the zombie attacks popular in fiction today. Except this is real, brothers and sisters, and we have no light at the end of the tunnel as of today.

There are two kinds of fears: rational and irrational — or, in simpler terms, fears that make sense and fears that don’t — Lemony Snicket

Like those physical attacks, we have had conflicting information broadcast to us, playing down by the president and his posse while the scientists and doctors are steadfastly speaking the truth. Never has an administration looked worse, seemed to care less about discharging it’s sworn duty to protect this country, its Constitution, and its citizens. Their failure to step up has been writ large across every medium from which we get our news and information; broadcast live, in fact, showing us a man who’s clearly not up to the job he holds.

The strategy of fear is to convince us that we are underestimating it so that we will fall prey to the paralysis of overestimating it — Craig D. Lounsbrough

Irrational fear locks down the mind and prevents clear thinking at the very moment that clarity is essential to overcome the fear. “Courage is grace under pressure” has been attributed to Ernest Hemingway and, thankfully, that is both what we need and what we are seeing across the country.

The Federal government has largely not there to lead and reassure, so that responsibility has been taken up by state governments to make the real-time decisions that must happen in a crisis. The Centers for Disease Control and independent labs have been working around the clock to develop testing kits and procedures. When implemented, large-scale testing is expected to uncover more positive cases, so the numbers may increase.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear — Psalm 23:4

Rational fear allows acceptance of not only what attacks, what endangers us, it also allows us to formulate a reasoned response; moving with a purpose and a goal. That is where the application of Plato’s definition of courage comes in, “Courage is knowing what not to fear”.

Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm — Ephesians 6:13

How do we do that? First of all educate yourself from a reliable source like the CDC. Get the facts so the fears can be brought under control. Listen to the professional who have devoted their careers to manage this particular sort of catastrophe.

Evaluate your own situation. Are you or any of your loved ones over 60 years of age, and are there any underlying conditions that could exacerbate illness if the virus finds you? If so, then consider the voluntary self-quarantine or self-isolation. Also, practice social distancing if you do have to go out. In my own case, my spouse and I are both over 65 years old, and I do rock a couple of secondary conditions that have complicated recovery in the past, and I am sure would again given the opportunity. So, we are quarantining ourselves, withdrawing from gym time and church activities. We mailed our oldest grandchild her gifts today because we cannot take a chance.

Delay and misinformation have already squandered a good start. But, naively some will say, I believe in this country and I believe in the American people; sort of like Rocky in the films, we tend to take a few punches before we get it together and finally obliterate what has endangered us. Hoping this finds you well.