Don’t Live Your Life In a Bubble
I write this because I, as a scientist, am very worried about what has become of the human species. In just a few short months, we have seen the species devolve into a panic-driven, irrational, hysterical species.
Much of this hysteria has been forced upon us by people who were elected to represent us, not dictate. Not all have gone this route but most have. They now seem to be only serving themselves. Theaters may be closed but we certainly get to see much grandstanding from these people on a constant basis. Their main message is that THEY will decide all risks for society.
As human beings, we live each day of our lives choosing our risks in life. Many risks we do not even think about consciously. Starting early in our childhood we are taught about risks and consequences by adults as well as our peers. We are taught that there are risks that we can manage to varying degrees and then there are risks that involve others to mitigate. Most risks fall into a combination mode; that is, we can have some control over the risk but we are still dependent on others. But, believe it or not, risks become mitigated by repetitive behavior, economics, and many factors.
All of which we balance in making our decisions. For example, flying in an airplane offers one little control over the risk. Yet, in making that decision you assume that the pilot and crew are well trained, that the aircraft is maintained and serviced correctly, that it has been properly fueled, that the flight plan does not intersect with another aircraft, and so on – hundreds of people are now a part of the risk process; you are a nonexistent part of that risk. What allows you to make that risk decision is past performance and knowledge of those people assuming the risk. But, you always have the choice not to fly.
Risk evaluation and management, therefore, is completely an individual exercise in personal responsibility. This evaluation is so personal because it fits with how we each will choose how to live our life. No one really wants any person to tell them how to live their lives and control those risks. Some people are willing to assume high personal risks in order to experience what they want to get out of life.
Of course, we all know about influenza. Influenza is not a bad word because we have become used to it. In December of 2017, the World Health Organization quietly updated their estimate for the annual deaths due to influenza to 650,000. For several years, they had reported between 250,000-500,000 deaths annually, and this included all related deaths, respiratory and nonrespiratory. In the new report, the 650,000 death figure was based upon a narrower definition using respiratory causes linked to influenza. Compare the WHO estimate for the annual toll from influenza to the current world situation with coronavirus.
Coronavirus has been around certainly as long as influenza, but it was never given much attention even though it is responsible for a fair portion of the common cold. The underlying panic that has been induced since March has been directed at trying to convince people that somehow this virus will kill anyone who contracts the disease. Many people have bought into the hype but the facts do not support the message. At-risk groups are exactly that, at risk, but they are an extreme minority of the population. Additionally, immunity is a critical factor – the more healthy people experience the disease, the LESS the risk for the at-risk groups. The healthy people (that is mainly you, the younger generation) can protect the at-risk people.
We have created a fear and panic for a disease that falls into the normal realm of URI diseases that are experienced by humans.
We have totally disrupted the lives and stability of billions of people over this panic.
We have disrupted what should be normal medical functions in society. Hospitals turn away people if they do not have COVID-19. Is this really following the Hippocratic Oath? Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals have generally been trying to do their best under difficult circumstances. But, they have had things imposed on them as well.
Countless Autocrats have now risen, so-called leaders, who now impose restrictions on free societies unprecedented in history, without openly showing the sources of their decisions, and who themselves suffer no consequences and do not experience the results of their decisions.
We have thrown aside decades of learning on how to handle viral epidemics to revert to ancient superstitions. In short, we have regressed.
We have virtually disintegrated normal societal functioning where people cannot even begin to socialize outside of their home environments. People snitch on others and openly attack people.
We have destroyed people’s ability to fend for themselves. Livelihoods have been taken away. There is a false choice in choosing between economy and health – this is a myth being given much too much life. Both economy and health are interlinked. That is why it is called “livelihood.” Our existence is defined by what we do and how we choose to live our lives. That is living and it separates us from other species. Health by itself, with no other substance, does not equate to actual living. The opposite is also true. Dr. Stephen Hawking was stricken by ALS at an early age. He lived the majority of his life confined to a wheelchair, unable to move or communicate without technology. But, he lived almost a normal life span and contributed immensely to not only his field but to the human experience.
We have created an environment where people fear every other person. Social distancing has become social phobia (This is why I prefer the term “physical distancing”). Social interaction or health is another false choice being presented to create fear.
We have essentially eliminated what defines humanity. That is, the arts, culture, social engagement, sports, etc. have all become taboo because people are panicked that somehow they will all drop dead. Top world orchestras have resorted to demonstrating that playing their instruments is not going to cause the audience to succumb. I have played the trumpet since I was 10 years old. I have never transmitted a disease to another person from playing the trumpet. Anyone who knows how these instruments actually work would understand. Yet, the panic has been instilled.
Young people, your hopes and dreams for the future certainly have been crushed. No school experience, no colleges, no learning, no culture, no sports, no socialization, no jobs, and a complete fear of life beyond, if you can call it life. Many are forced back into their parents’ homes and have sacrificed their independence. Speaking for myself, if that had happened to me, I do not know what I would have done.
We have let the media and social media platforms control the messaging while their profits increase and the rest of the society crumbles. Are they giving back any of their profits to the people who have lost during this period?
People have chosen political sides, whether rightly or wrongly only because that is their tribe. A medical condition that can afflict anyone at any time has suddenly become an Us versus Them symbol. This has not only worsened the situation in the US but has propagated bad policies.
We have witnessed unprecedented levels of censorship imposed on any dissenting voices. Rather than doing what the U.S. was founded on, a principle of open debate and decision-making, legal processes, and individual liberty, officials and media have joined together in an unholy alliance to stamp out any dissent. Even when the dissent is correct.
No comments:
Post a Comment