Talk of The Villages Florida - View Single Post - Risky Business - Living with COVID
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Old 03-04-2021, 12:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Pairadocs View Post
I long "thesis" for sure, but I read every word. Could not agree more, being BORN, being ALIVE is a VERY risky thing ! No other way to say it. I believe the deeply rooted psychological aspect, and what is causing such a huge divide in our population, is the difference in the emotional needs of various individuals. Your post of the cartoon of Mrs. Dumpty is so telling; people experience very different levels of fear and this dictates much of how they live their lives.

Let's face it, there are those in our community right here that would not step a foot in a grocery store and have not visited with friends and neighbors for months. Others, often vilified and much worse on this site, have weighted the risk for them personally, have chosen to see friends, dine out, and attend various events. Others seem angry, and even defiling and wishing death on those who are only choosing what is right for them, not at all trying to impose on others. This is puzzling, but so typical of humans !

If a person chooses to dine with friends inside a local restaurant, and has NO deep seated need to suggest or insist that others do the same, why does that ignite such volatile anger in others who have no desires or intentions to go to the same restaurant, or who only grocery shop via internet or curbside pickup ? Human nature is the answer of course. Those of you who have gone beyond basic into to psychology know from your education that insecure individuals have a deep need to be reinforced in their opinions, beliefs, and desires. Have you ever had a friend or neighbor who bought a _____ automobile, or a ____ appliance, and then did everything in their power to go beyond convincing, nearly insisting that others buy the same brand or kind they did ? Have you ever wondered why a few people are like this ? Fear and insecurity.

So, the situation we are in is part of human nature. Fear rules the lives of some, while others might be judged (Mr. Humpty) as wildly irrational in relation to the risk/reward factor. Most of us fall in the middle of that spectrum, we make the choices we feel comfortable with based on our experiences and our formal education, the extent of our reading and research, and to some extent our own fear, or lack of it, of death and dying.

All of the things you mentioned are so well thought out, some practices are risky, seems statistics (which can be manipulated to "prove" anything) do back up the wise decision to wear a helmet when driving a motor cycle or riding a bike. We generally accept that life preservers should be present on every boat, even if just using one in a stream or narrow river, but, that does not always happen.

Today two governors of states that have repealed mandated (emphasis: "mandated") mask laws have expressed and clarified that they are NOT opposed to masks for those who believe they are actually effective, they are NOT asking residents to not wear masks, or no "social" distance, they are simply joining 17 other states which do not, and have not, made such things "law", or "mandates". People are still free to take the precautions they believe is best for them, it's simply that making "laws" really has little effect, that's becoming very clear as we analyze the comparisons between and among states and countries with strict laws and mandates and lock downs in response to the virus, and others that did not take such drastic measures as criminalizing simple behaviors like not wearing masks in public, attending religious services, or dining out. This is not a political statement, it is an analysis of facts about human behavior we have known for centuries now.

No answers that I know of, all people will act, and re-act, according to their own level of fear as you pointed out. Nice to see some in-depth and actually reflective and rational "discussion" on this community site... so often just filled with irrational, "gut" (emotional) reactions based on.... nothing ! Ladders ? YES, the warnings on a ladder are so "over the top" makes you wonder why anyone would ever chance using one ! More dangerous than going to Publix without a mask even ? Enjoyed your post and your points.
I am so tired of hearing people say FEAR. When you were younger and had your third child, did you use birth control? Or was it fun to take a chance? When you get in your car do you wear seatbelts? or is it fun to take a chance?? I really do not care at all what people do that I don't know and love. I certainly am not frightened at all. Later today, when my husband comes home from golf, we will take the letter and form filled out by our wonderful Doctor and drive to Valencia College, where we hope our 55 year old daughter born with Williams Syndrome and a congenital heart defect, and who is a cancer survivor will have her first shot to protect her against Covid-19. We have had both of ours. We will be celebrating tonight if Leenie gets that shot. We love her and want her to be safe.

I can only impact myself and those I love and Thank Heavens they will be getting their shots when it is their turn.
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