Weeks ago I had a friendly disagreement with my wife and family members about covid-19. I predicted that it would become a huge deal, while they thought, like many others, it was all being blown out of proportion.
IMO, that attitude is precisely why I knew it would become a bigger deal. I had researched and learned enough about the virus — such as an infected person not displaying symptoms for up to 12 days (among numerous other factors) — to realize that the manner in which typical american‘s live their lives, along with their casual views on many things would lead to a quick, widespread infection and that would then eventually lead to panic.
Apparently folks here are out in full force buying up and hoarding items such as toilet paper now.
In short, most here don‘t take things very seriously until it‘s too late. Then they like to panic. Wash, rinse, repeat.
I’m the type that takes things moderately seriously and takes precautions but w/o taking things too far seriously. Most of my adult life I’ve been a germaphobe and don’t touch a lot things in public, such as gas nozzles, door handles, hand rails, etc and always prefer to fist bump folks rather than shake hands. When I end up having to break any of the above rules of thumb, thoroughly washing my hands is always the first thing on my mind and what I try to do. So none of these newly emphasized practices are new for me.
However, I‘ve long known I’m in the vast minority. Which is why I felt strongly this current pandemic would spiral as it has. Most just aren’t accustomed to thinking about or worrying about such things. And in America we tend to be a lot less mindful of others and in our own little worlds. Worst of all, we have an overblown sense of safety and security. However, once that protective armor is cracked open, it becomes full on panic time.
For me, I take precautions and avoid doing certain things. But I won’t go as far as locking myself up in my house and not going out to do things. I won’t panic and start hoarding things. In consideration of recent events, I’ll probably avoid eating anything my wife and i didn’t cook and prepare ourselves for a while, but I won’t avoid going out to do and experience things. Per usual, I’ll be mindful to keep to my own personal space and avoid touching people or other things and always wash up.
I just wish more people grew up with or developed the same regular habits and pushed them hard on their children.
