Heroes are “brave” because they know death picks the time and man picks the manner to face it. Take Chesley Sullenberger, whose “heroic” manner was strict adherence to experience and expertise. Because the pilot was forewarned and forearmed, he saved every life on Flight 1549. His manner (truth-informed and habit-based) is how all Americans should cope with COVID. It is possible to remain calm, carry on, and survive intact.
Look beyond the partisan news, which extols Biden’s pessimism and refutes Trump’s optimism, to find facts you can use; such as the Lubbock (TX) dashboard. The county of 311,000 updates daily and, as of December 28, 74.5% (232,000) had been tested, finding 13.2% (41,205) positive results. Further, 37,378 (91%) of the 41,205 cases have recovered, 3,289 (8.4%) are still active, and 538 (1.3%) have died. Mind you, Texas is an open-up state.
I based my personal odds on the “known” knowns; 232,000 Lubbock folks who were tested for COVID. Thus, I have 17.8% odds of contracting COVID but only 0.23% odds of dying from it, meaning my 1 in 100 chance of dying from COVID (if I catch it) is less than heart disease (1 in 6), cancer (1 in 7), or an opioid addiction (1 in 98). Yes, COVID is a real risk, but it’s not as contagious as measles or as deadly as Ischemic Heart Disease. Even at 66, I’m more likely to die in an airplane crash.
A “reasonable” man improves his underlying health condition to boost his body’s immune system. Daily exercise, one Nature Made’s Super C Immune Complex, and 20 minutes of sunshine (vitamin D) are a minimum. Build healthier lungs with a daily apple that reduces inflammation 32% (Finland CDC) and zinc lozenge that reduces COVID complications 76% (Spain’s CDC). Start nose-breathing: it ups virus-slowing nitrous oxide 20% (Britain’s CDC).
A “responsible” man adopts prophylaxis to reduce viral transmission. Scrub with Hibiclens in the morning to get all-day protection and wash hands after contact with high-risk surfaces (e.g. gas pump handle). Gargle with Listerine Whitening Mouth Wash before meetings: its hydrogen peroxide kills viruses shed in the mouth for an hour. Wear a mask in public: it stops viral “mist” from as close as one foot. Nasal-rinse before bed and reduce pathogens that love your warm-moist sinuses.
If this post seems “preachy” or IGJAM (I’m great, just ask me), that’s a shame. These health tips come from government/university sources and are routine in Taiwan and Israel, two successful COVID-coping nations. The point here is you can go to church AND avoid the pathogen altogether and, if you do inhale the virus, your immune system can kick its spiky ass. This post is for Americans who think the “best and brightest” that govern can do better than shelter in place and wear a mask.
Washington has uttered one irrefutable fact: the cure cannot be worse than the pandemic. As a nation, we need most, if not all, citizens to carry on with precaution and optimism. Mourn the dead, but make life decisions based on ever-growing numbers of COVID survivors, successful therapeutics, and vaccinated Americans. And stop clicking on awful news (e.g. LA Times headline, “Oxygen Supply Shortages Bedevil Hospitals”) that you can’t use. You can do this, hero!