Pandemic Perspective

I know this virus is real. Almost everyone can agree on that. My issue is with the response to it. Never before has the world reacted to a virus in such an unhealthy, irrational way. And before you try to tell me that this is a newly discovered virus that we know too little about, let me remind you that ALL viruses were novel at some point, but again... they never yielded a response like we’re seeing now.

Today, we constantly hear “listen to the science” or “trust the experts” and let me start by saying that I do. Always have. I just like to hear all the scientific arguments and theories and I just like to hear what all the experts have to say. But before I get into that, let me share a little analogy I’ve heard that has really resonated with me.

Say you are the head of the FAA and have decided it’s time to revisit airline safety. Would you only implement the advice and recommended procedures of safety experts? Individuals whose only job is to ensure people are as safe as possible? I would hope not. Doing so would find airlines in an untenable state.

Their recommendations (because it’s there job) would be to require every passenger to have a shoulder harness. To wear a life vest and don an oxygen mask at all times (and probably a “COVID” mask too). Each passenger would also be required to wear a fireproof suit. Probably even a Kevlar vest in the case of flying debris during a crash or a flying bullet during a hijacking. Helmets would be a must. So too would protective eyewear. Every seat would be surrounded by deployable airbags in the event of a crash or severe turbulence. And of course, every person would be required to remain seated at all times, without exception (and yes, that means no restrooms). Safety first!

That list seems ridiculous, but if you missed my main point, please allow me to elaborate. We wouldn’t just let the safety experts be the only stakeholders in that situation, would we? Again, their only goal and only job is safety. They are not concerned with the tangential ramifications of their advice because that’s not why they were summoned. In the real world, the FAA would seek out input from the airlines themselves, as well as doctors, emergency responders, and maybe even a psychologists or two. A customer focus group might even find its way into the fold. All of whom would advise against such draconian safety measures, expressing concern for the mental well-being of passengers, which would directly affect the airlines ability to earn a dollar and stay afloat. Not to mention the very real possibility that the airline safety experts might disagree on certain measures. But of course, we know that those that disagree would soon be de-platformed from social media, silenced and disregarded, no matter how real their concerns or how qualified their justifications.

Back to the analogy. Why do we only listen to some epidemiologists and not others? But even more importantly, why aren’t we considering the opinions of conventional MDs, psychologists, social workers, law enforcement, etc.? We all know that they have witnessed a horrendous decline in the health of the population this past year.

Small businesses are getting decimated and many of the owners and their employees are seeing their livelihoods vanish, all while massive corporations are seeing record profit margins. Isolation is widespread. Depression and suicides are way up, especially among teens and young adults. There’s a huge increase in addiction and those in recovery are relapsing as the zoom calls with their sponsors just don’t suffice. There’s an increase in death due to lack of medical treatment and screenings as a result of fear or capacity limitations. Mental health patients aren’t getting the help they need. And I’m talking about the REAL help they need... not some virtual visit with their assigned physician or social worker. And it will be a long time before we see the detrimental damage this is causing to our children. These kids need to be in school. Countless are no longer even checking into online class and those with special needs aren't getting anywhere near the help they need.

Lastly, you can’t tell me the majority of grandparents stuck in long-term care facilities wouldn’t rather see their children and grandchildren than remain quarantined in solitary confinement. If we were all honest about it, we would agree that the large majority of our seniors would gladly take their chances for even one more embrace of a loved one before they leave this world. We forget that they are of a much more resilient generation and we are letting them down as we cling to fear of the slightest unknown. We embrace our safety with no regard for them or reality. We should all be ashamed for continuing to let them down and our own children. It’s time to step up. It was time to do so a long time ago. Let’s go!