While mass media is steadily encouraging fear and panic, we actually need to calm down and take a deep breath. Here are some things to remember in these trying times.
eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'vigilantcitizen_com-box-3','ezslot_4',172,'0','0']));In these past weeks, we’ve witnessed a series of major historical events of a magnitude that is still difficult to fathom. With these events came a wave of panic that is palpable both on a local and a global level. And, in some ways, that panic is understandable. The specter of an invisible yet deadly disease spreading at an exponential rate has terrified humans for centuries.
At the time of writing these lines, we’re at this strange period of uncertainty where we have no idea where this is going and what kind of impact it will have on humanity. How long will this last? How many people will die? Will the world economy collapse?
This unprecedented situation has triggered in many individuals a great deal of fear and anxiety – steadily fed by a constant influx of alarming news by mass media. Meanwhile, while the masses are physically confined in small spaces and mentally paralyzed with fear, things are happening behind the scenes.
In these trying times, vigilant citizens need to be more vigilant than ever. And that means taking a step back, taking a deep breath and remaining clear-headed.
With that being said, here are a few things we need to remember now and always.
1- “This Too Shall Pass”
If COVID-19 is causing in you feelings of fear, panic, and anxiety, please repeat to yourself this timeless saying: “This too shall pass”. Because it will.
In 1858, Abraham Lincoln famously recounted:
“It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: “And this, too, shall pass away.” How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction!eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'vigilantcitizen_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_0',150,'0','0']));
Often found in wisdom literature of the ancient Near East, the adage “this too shall pass” aptly sums up the unconditionally temporary nature of human condition. It is a reminder that every single event in human history, whether it is a negative or a positive one, inevitably becomes a thing of the past. And, although there doesn’t seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel right now, this virus will also inevitably become a thing of the past.
The only question is “when?”. Not unlike all other living things in the world, epidemics rise, peak and decline. Sooner or later, this thing will peak and it will decline. In the past decades, SARS and H1N1 caused a great deal of panic. However, the only thing they are infecting now is history books.
While current world events might seem overwhelming, we still have full control of ourselves and our surroundings. Which leads me to my next point.
2- You Don’t Need Up-to-the-Minute News Updates
If you can take away one thing from this site is that critical thinking is required when dealing with mass media. Sometimes, it doesn’t have our best interest at heart and, sometimes, it is even outright toxic. As people are confined to their homes with little to do, the urge to keep up with the news is constant. However, not all news is good to consume. Some of it actually is vile, toxic crap.
For instance, an article in Canada’s National Post titled What might our lives look like when Canada is in the full grip of COVID-19? dug up an obscure report dating from 2009, quoted its grimmest parts and linked them to what is happening now. I will spare you the details, but the article talks about things such as “stockpiling body bags, choosing a central place where people bring corpses of family members and identifying hockey and curling rinks cold enough to be temporary morgue sites”.
The article brought forth no useful information, just wild speculations that poke on people’s latent fears. Gladly, not every reader lapped up the unnecessary fear-mongering. Here are two comments from the article.
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Another article from another Canadian publication titled Cancel your March Break straight-up begins with these words:
“Fear is the right reaction to the coronavirus”.
I’m sorry, but no. The only time that fear is the “right reaction” is when a bear is chasing you and you need the adrenaline boost to outrun it. In the case of a global crisis with lots of moving parts that require careful planning, fear is not the “right reaction”. Fear leads to panic-induced, irrational decisions. And a prolonged state of fear can be extremely damaging for one’s mental health.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'vigilantcitizen_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_2',631,'0','0']));
After a whole lot of fear-mongering, the article ends with these words:
“Be afraid. Be very afraid.”
I’m sorry, but no. Now, more than ever, we need to remain calm, rational and level-headed. And limiting our daily intake of “panic news” is a great start. Trust me, I know that it is difficult to resist the urge to grab one’s phone and look-up news articles about the virus. I sometimes find myself doing it without even realizing it. But it is simply not healthy or even necessary to do so.
You don’t need to get a mild panic attack each time the number of confirmed cases goes up a notch. You don’t need to mildly despair each time an artist cancels a world tour. More importantly, if you have children, they don’t need to see you turn into a panicky shell of a person. Which leads me to my final point.
3- Life Goes On
If you look outside, the sun is still rising and birds are still chirping. You are still on this Earth and you still have one life to live. Even if you are in lockdown, quarantine or whatever else, you are still in control of yourself and your surroundings. You still need to sleep well, eat healthily and exercise regularly.
If you’re stuck at home, put down your phone for a while and use this time to take care of your people, read a good book, work on creative projects and, if possible, go outside and seek the healing presence of nature. Coincidentally enough, in my annual end-of-year articles, I constantly suggest readers to do these exact things. That’s because, despite the constant noise of mass media, the most important things in life happen outside of it.
While this advice might sound extremely boring and generic, this is what needs to be done right now in order to remain vigilant citizens. We need to remain sharp and focused, not weak and fearful. Because, at this point, it doesn’t matter where this virus comes from, what (or who) is behind it and how dangerous it really is. It already managed to shut down the entire world.
Soon, we will need to ask some important questions: Who benefitted from this situation? Who went for a power grab? What kind of companies weathered the storm? Where did the world economy shift to? What kind of local and global policies were introduced?
To properly answer these questions, we need to remain strong and watchful. Because, no matter what happens in the next months … this too shall pass.
Poster Comment:
#1: Gatlin To: Deckard (#0)
You do however need not simply do a “blind copy and paste.”
In doing so, it would be so easy to get rid of this:
eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'vigilantcitizen_com- box-4','ezslot_5',173,'0','0']));
And this …
eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'vigilantcitizen_com- large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_2',631,'0','0']));
and this …
eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'vigilantcitizen_com- banner-1','ezslot_7',123,'0','0']));
Speed posting is obviously not your best friend …
Gatlin posted on 2020-03-25 08:15:18 Reply Private Reply
#2: Deckard To: Gatlin (#1)
Take your condescending bullshit elsewhere .
In doing so, it would be so easy to get rid of this:
Piss off - that doesn't show up here. I previewed three times.
Speed posting is obviously not your best friend …
Deckard posted on 2020-03-25 08:25:56 Reply Private Reply
#3: Stoner To: Deckard (#2)
Stoner posted on 2020-03-25 10:12:03 Reply Private Reply
#4: Gatlin To: Deckard (#2)
This is far too entertaining to me. This entertainment holds my attention and interest while it gives me pleasure and delight.
Individuals have different preferences in entertainment.
One of mine is exchanging posts with you during any lulls in my market activity or a break when doing late night and early morning research.
What is the form of entertainment you engage in while working at home?
No – No …
Playing with yourself in not considered a form of entertainment – It is considered a perversion …
Gatlin posted on 2020-03-25 11:28:01 Reply Private Reply
#5: Deckard To: Gatlin (#4)
Reading your posts and laughing at the silliness of your self-aggrandizing scribblings between sessions of guitar playing and singing.
Trying to write a song about current events.
I don't think anybody can top this though.
Would make a good soundtrack for a PSA, wouldn't you agree
Seriously though champ, does anyone here or in your so-called life tolerate your overbearing pretentiousness?
Or are you basically just a prick online?
Deckard posted on 2020-03-25 12:37:26 Reply Private Reply
#6: Gatlin To: Deckard (#5)
People with narcissistic tendencies tend to be particularly likely to
hurl an insult your way so that they can feel better about themselves.
However, in other cases, insults come from people who just don't like
anyone different than they are (ingroup-outgroup bias) or just lack
something better to say or do.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any- age/201511/what-s-the-best-way-react-insultM
Name calling and personal insults – is your desperate last stance.
Pathetic …
Gatlin posted on 2020-03-25 15:59:09 Reply Private Reply
#7: Hondo68 To: Gatlin, Fake News Canary (#6)
Hondo68 posted on 2020-03-25 17:09:02 Reply Private Reply
#8: Gatlin To: Deckard (#5)
Overbearing and pretentious are definitely to closely semantically related for use together in superior topic.
However, there are combinations of adjectives you can correctly use.
Here, I will help you …
Related pairs use:
Or: I think you should use “overbearing and grandiose” when describing my dealings with you.Why …
Because:
There …Gatlin posted on 2020-03-26 06:50:08 Reply Private Reply
#9: Gatlin To: Deckard (#8)
Furthermore …
I fail to see what could possibly be funny about this coronavirus since Wednesday has been deadliest day in reported coronavirus deaths in US. This deadly virus that has transformed the very day-to-day fabric of our lives and shut down everything we hold dear – from movies to sports to music to restaurants and into the very defined notion of our dearly close human interaction.How in heaven’s name can you make a joke about “fever” at a time like this?
Shameful …
So, there is no way I can ever agree with your excessive morbidity.
However, if you are seeking solace – then I suggest you run this by your village idiot friend.
He will probably agree …
Gatlin posted on 2020-03-26 06:52:17 Reply Private Reply
#10: Deckard To: Gatlin (#9)
Gee... I merely stated that the song would make a good soundtrack for a PSA. Maybe a big pharma drug - you know the way they do with Fleetwood Mac and Jackson 5 songs?
Has humor been outlawed in America now? Shall we call the cops on someone making a joke?
You can't possibly be serious, can you?
How in heaven’s name can you make a joke about “fever” at a time like this?
Gee whiz princess, did I hurt your delicate sensibilities?
Deckard posted on 2020-03-26 07:31:43 Reply Private Reply
#11: Gatlin To: Deckard (#10)
But of course, there’s a time and a place for humor.
I have also heard that discretion is the better part of valor.
However, it is quite obvious that discretion has never played any part in your lack of valor.
Gatlin posted on 2020-03-26 07:54:23 Reply Private Reply
#12: rustynail To: Deckard (#0)
Not if 'they' can help it.
rustynail posted on 2020-03-26 08:17:04 Reply Private Reply
#13: Deckard To: Gatlin (#11)
Your incessant lecturing aside - in times like these, the ability to laugh and maintain a sense of humor is of vital importance to our well being.
I have heard jokes and laughter at funerals - are you suggesting that is inappropriate?
Seriously, with all due respect, lighten the frak up!
Deckard posted on 2020-03-26 09:01:07 Reply Private Reply
#14: Gatlin To: Deckard (#13)
Play your "fever" video and start laughing ...
Gatlin posted on 2020-03-26 09:27:49 Reply Private Reply
#15: Gatlin To: Deckard (#13)
I would need to have been there to decide if it was appropriately proper ...
Gatlin posted on 2020-03-26 09:30:45 Reply Private Reply
#16: Gatlin To: Deckard (#15)
Gatlin posted on 2020-03-26 09:34:51 Reply Private Reply
#17: Deckard To: Gatlin (#14)
Your insinuation that I am laughing at the deaths is a new low for you scumbag.
Not surprising though.
Nowhere on this thread did I post anything about laughing at the deaths.
I mentioned using a song for a PSA, and you went full blown holier-than-thou schoolmarm.
Deckard posted on 2020-03-26 09:56:40 Reply Private Reply
#18: Gatlin To: Deckard (#17)
who are trying to control the virus and the virus causes death.
Gatlin posted on 2020-03-26 11:49:11 Reply Private Reply
#19: Gatlin To: Deckard (#17)
You seem to be excessively reacting to my chastisement.
Guilt feelings – Perhaps …
Gatlin posted on 2020-03-26 11:53:02 Reply Private Reply
#20: Deckard To: Gatlin (#18)
Do you even know what a PSA is?
A public service announcement (PSA) is a message in the public interest disseminated without charge, with the objective of raising awareness of, and changing public attitudes and behavior towards, a social issue.
In the UK, they are generally called 'public information films' (PIFs); in Hong Kong, they are known as 'announcements in the public interest' ('APIs').
***
Using the song for a PSA might go something like this:
Video
romantic scenes of different age couples, smiling, laughing...ending with young couple about to open an apartment door...
Music (Up Full Under Video)
Never know how much I love you
Never know how much I care
When you put your arms around me
I get a fever that's so hard to bear
You give me fever (you give me fever) when you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight (you give me fever)
music fades down
Voice Over
In day and age of the coronacrisis, one can never be too careful.
Video
(two-shot - apartment door -looking into each other's eyes keys in hand)
V/O Is that kiss really worth it?
Video
close up couple moving to kiss then freeze.
V/O
Don't be a corona kisser - Maintain mandated social distancing
Graphic - Lower Third
For more information : #coronakisser
Yeah - just a rough draft but you get the idea.
Deckard posted on 2020-03-26 12:38:45 Reply Private Reply
#21: Gatlin To: Deckard (#20)
So, when the following public service announcement that contains
information, guidance and recommendations from CDC experts on
important aspects of flu prevention is watched …
You say this is to be playing as background music …
My goodness, that is such a novel idea you have. I’m sure that would go
over really big. Especially the loud drum solo starting at 2:11. Send this
in as your recommendation and let us all know the response you get - [/s].
Gatlin posted on 2020-03-26 13:08:06 Reply Private Reply
#22: Deckard To: Gatlin (#21)
But at least you finally understand what a PSA is.
Deckard posted on 2020-03-26 15:11:02 Reply Private Reply
#23: Deckard To: Gatlin (#21)
It really helps if you read the script - see the part where it says music fades down?
Oh never mind. Too complicated for you.
Deckard posted on 2020-03-26 15:39:38 Reply Private Reply
#24: Gatlin To: Deckard (#23)
Thank you.
That is one of the best things I have ever heard from you.
Gatlin posted on 2020-03-26 15:44:00 Reply Private Reply
#25: Gatlin To: Deckard (#23)
Not bad – In fact, pretty good.
But don’t you ever quote me as saying that …
I actually thought that the first time.
I just reinforced it this time
Gatlin posted on 2020-03-26 16:32:55 Reply Private Reply