Facts Over Fear

I'm seeing signs held up at the anti-lockdown protests saying Fact > Fear.

The thing is, they have it wrong. It's not fear that is driving the SIP orders and mask wearing requirements. It's common sense based on science.

We don't follow the rules of the road out of fear, we do it out of common sense, because if people don't follow those rules then people get hurt, property is damaged, the cops and hospitals are overwhelmed and we have a big mess.

Here's the thing. Fear is an emotion. One can overlay fear on anything. ANYTHING! And people do this all the time and it's sad, because they are not living their full lives.

Common Sense, however, is not an emotion. Common Sense says "If I bear this little discomfort, I can help prevent the spread of this disease that kills some people, and I can show that I care about more than just myself." There's no fear involved, but there is love and giving.

Science is also not an emotion. Neither is it an opinion. Science proves that the mask reduces the risk of the spread of this disease, thus shortening the length of time we're all discomfited and, in addition, keeps more people alive. There's no fear involved, but there is a greater understanding about how this whole world and everyone on it fit together.

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