The Sun

Not Living in FearFree Access



Some 88 years ago, at his inauguration, Franklin Roosevelt spoke these now famous words …

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

That statement became inspiring for the American people at the time, but let’s face it, was a blatant lie.

The year was 1933. Hitler was coming into power, the U.S. economy had collapsed and we were on the eve of World War II.

There was plenty to fear.

I would argue, more than we have to fear now.

But we didn’t live in fear then and we shouldn’t live in fear now.

Let’s be clear, COVID-19 is a real disease. It can kill you.

But the balance of power between humans and the virus is shifting.

We’re better armed against an enemy that sent us running for our underground bunkers when it hit some two years ago.

Now, it seems, we’re scared of everything.

The rain, the snow and the sun.

The idea of facing the unknown and the unpredictable is petrifying to us.

It’s more than just going to the store for milk and bread before a storm.

It’s so much more.

It’s too early to declare victory against COVID-19.

Hospitals are full to the gills, and sick and injured people are literally being turned away because there is no room.

Just listen to the police scanner for 10 minutes or read our COVID-19 update on Page 4.

But we’ve learned a lot since COVID-19 started two years ago and as we enter the endemic stage, that is, it’s here to stay, it’s time for some changes.

It’s time to do away with the 10-day quarantine period.

It is an enormously costly policy, as employees miss work and students miss classroom time.

The CDC reduced self-isolation from 10 days after a positive test to five, but yet, here we are with many employers and institutions keeping the old policy.

Remote learning carries enormous social, mental and economic costs.

FDR would be so disappointed.

Here is a guy who faked being able to stand upright and walk, despite having polio, in order to not appear weak or ineffective.

But let’s be honest, some of that was showmanship on the part of FDR and the American people bought it.

A medical emergency like a pandemic calls more for prudence than for showmanship and more for truth than for lies.

Up to a point.

It’s prudent for people to wear masks on public transport and in crowded spaces during cold and flu season.

It’s prudent to stay at home for a few days if you’re sick or get the vaccine and booster shots.

But I think it’s also time for us to stand up, and with a little showmanship, say, “I’m not living in fear.”

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