Well, I've finally got to the end of this thread and I'm just so glad that there's a place like this where people can share about all this craziness and think together. Another reminder of how amazing this network is!
For me, things have been moving so quickly and people have been changing so fast that it is really shocking to see. I have been wrapping my head around the question of how is this even possible... how is it possible that this virus is causing such hysteria and that people are buying into all this scaremongering so easily?
What is quite shocking to see is how people are becoming "law enforcement helpers" as others have pointed out. People are happy with the measures and are asking for more and more restrictions. They're also asking for punishment to those who don't follow the rules. It is unbelievable, yet we've seen this before in history. We've seen how fear and propaganda can really create this effect on people. But it really gives me the chills to watch this in real life.
What gets me angry is also all of this sudden worry about the "thousands that are dying" in Italy and the "hundreds of thousands that are going to die" because of this virus according most people I talk to who never in their lives cared about the thousands of people affected by other sicknesses, or even war and conflicts caused and supported by the same governments they are turning to for protection now. Or what about all the illnesses caused or made worse by "official" dietary guidelines, pharmaceuticals and and other industries? What about all the deaths by medical negligence? This people are now worrying about the health system and those possible deaths only because the media is telling them to worry about it... and that really gets me. Well, it just astonishes me to see how people will give an opinion, being convinced that it is their own opinion and that it is very reasonable, without realizing that the're just parroting what the media is saying. It's kind of sad.
I suppose, this is also teaching us a lot in the sense of self-control and how to use our skills and knowledge in the best way we can. It's also about understanding others. I can understand that many people are genuinely scared because they have been reading the mainstream media outlets and watching television almost 24/7 and all they hear is: "YOU ARE GOING TO DIE IF YOU DON'T FOLLOW THE RULES". So I guess I'm learning to stay calm, say what I think in the most considerate way that is possible (when asked) and do my best to give out something of value to people who are asking too. But honestly, there's something inside that just wants to say: "Enough of this nonsense, I'm not going to follow these unreasonable rules, I'm not going to quarantine". Fortunately, I can still go out where live, there's no legal restriction to do so yet, as there is in many other countries.
I've also had a positive experience this week with people who are doing their best to bypass this fabricated hysteria. I have been called from my previous job to help them organize online classes so that their teachers can work, and their students can continue studying. This means a lot of work, more than what I normally have, but it's being quite gratifying to see that despite all the madness, some people are finding ways to continue using their creativity to work and provide their services. All the other teachers responded quite positively and are eager to start doing this, some have already started and it seems that the plan is working out quite successfully. I'm just super happy to see people overcoming the madness and being proactive.
So, yes, I guess that fear and propaganda brings something terrible out of people, yet, it can also bring some good things, such as the willingness to be proactive, see through challenging times, and learn something a lot from it all.
