PERSPECTIVE
The world seems in chaos and confusion, with all the focus on the coronavirus. What is going on? Should I stock up on toilet paper and canned goods? Have I got it already? Yes, I would rather than the coronavirus was not with us, but it is.
Is panic or pause the better perspective in these troubling times?
I would suggest that panic is the least suitable response, perhaps only appropriate when things truly go off the rails, and perhaps not helpful even then.
Pause would suggest that we carefully research this challenge and start by defining what “bad”, “out-of-control” or “at personal risk of serious health consequences” means statistically and realistically. What is the probability out of 100 (10,000?) that YOU are at serious risk of death or debilitation? Pause encourages us to consider the financial costs to ourselves and others if we start to shut down the economy prematurely to manage this health threat. I know that many individuals will experience financial ruin (bankruptcy), unemployment, delays in their education progress, family trauma and depression. Anyone directly or indirectly associated with tourism, the service industry or who is part of an international supply chain is at serious economic peril if premature paranoia occurs. Yes, there is an uncomfortable trade-off between the health and financial consequences when managing this dilemma, but the consequences of over-reacting will be real and profound. Pause suggests a measured roll-out of our actions to manage this unfortunate situation. Is a few days of flu a reasonable cost if it prevents the economic/ emotional ruin of a friend or a community?
Perspective comes when we consider just how unique and serious the coronavirus really is. Worldwide as of 19:17 GMT, March 9th,2020 there were 111,817 coronavirus cases, 3,843 deaths and 62,722 recoveries*. Not great news, but looking at prior years what can we learn?
An estimated 80,000 Americans died of flu and its complications in the winter of 2018, the disease’s highest death toll in at least four decades. The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Robert Redfield, revealed the total in an interview Tuesday night with ‘The Associated Press’. In recent years, flu-related deaths have ranged from about 12,000 to — in the worst year — 56,000, according to the CDC….. The 2018 season peaked in early February. It was mostly over by the end of March, although some flu continued to circulate.@
Consider, is this quote good or bad news (as there were 327.2 million Americans in 2018)? Are we anywhere near these results? I am not suggesting that you behave recklessly as if there was no risk out there, but to wait cautiously as we learn more. Perspective suggests looking at the big picture, putting things into some scale as in risk per 1,000, weighing the uncomfortable pros and cons and realizing there are consequences, with over-reaction and pessimism not always the best or timely action. Please remain calm, vigilant, and considerate of others. Be tolerant and don’t stockpile any more toilet paper!
Reflection Source: www.Smallercup.org
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@: ASSOCIATED PRESS, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018