If someone tells you they have been diagnosed with cancer… do you immediately begin listing the number of things that could go wrong? Do you share stories about people you know who have died or suffered terribly from cancer? Do you talk about how difficult the journey ahead is going to be for them?
What if someone tells you they have contracted HIV? Do tell them statistics aren’t in their favor? Do you share with them how terrible it is going to be, and how completely and utterly F’KED they are? The answer to these questions is NO, or at the very least it should be no. You just don’t do or say these things.
You share all the inspirational stories you have heard regarding their diagnosis. You share how amazing our bodies are and how miracles are possible. You offer hope because you know hope is a good thing to have.
And if you, or a loved one battled cancer or overcome a life-threatening illness do you keep the news to yourself? No way! You tell everyone you know. You don’t assume your good news will offend anyone who may have not have had the same experience as you (or have friends/family that haven’t). You want to celebrate the good news and share it.
Why do these scenarios not apply to COVID-19?
It’s so strange that any hope or good news that is shared about COVID-19 is ignored or rebutted. Why are we ignoring good news? The survival rates, even among those considered high risk?
Does the percentage of people who recover that showed no symptoms somehow negate the seriousness of the pandemic? I don’t think so when the entire world is practically shut down. People are suffering physically, emotionally and financially from it. We are taking this pretty damn seriously and some positive news will not change that. And for the small percentage of people that are not taking it seriously…well I hate to tell you, no matter how much dread and gloom that is shared- they will not change their stance anyhow. So why do we hide from, or get immediately defensive about any good news that is available?
The numbers (or what is told today) and what we’re doing to ourselves
Out of 329 million Americans, 4.43 million people have contracted the virus. Out of those 4 million people, 151,000 people have died (we are not going to even touch the % of discrepancies, both ways, that is happening). People are dying from a virus that has no vaccine, and that is terrible. We know this. Most of us are handling this seriously and taking the precautions needed to protect lives.
To assume that we need to be in a constant state of fear in order to be responsible during this pandemic is nothing but an insult to our intelligence. We know the bad. We live, eat, and breathe the bad all damn day, every day. Positive news about the virus is overlooked or deemed reckless, while any and all deaths or # of new cases of the virus is broadcasted on the news daily.
Well, guess what? THAT is killing us too! Did you see my recent post on the Placebo/Nocebo effect? I covered how believing things are hopeless and will be bad – will cause our brains to release chemicals that cause our bodies the harm we expect to feel. Take heed people.
A close friend of mine is reluctant to post her family’s experience with COVID-19. Her, her husband, and both their kids all tested positive for the virus. They all had minimal symptoms that lasted for only 3-4 days. They quarantined themselves and recovered quickly. She doesn’t want to share her story because she’s afraid of the backlash. Are you kidding me?! Afraid to post good news?!! What is happening here?
When did it become wrong to share that your mother-in-law with poor health had COVID and didn’t end up in the hospital? Does that negate ones who did? No, it doesn’t. Why are we not sharing more accounts of entire families that had COVID with little to no symptoms? Does that negate families who suffered greatly from it? No, it doesn’t. Why don’t we talk more about the 98% (give or take 1% as it keeps changing) survival rate? Does it disrespect the 2-3% who die? No, it doesn’t.
Hope is it’s own medicine
This information would inspire hope and positivity, but for some bizarre reason, many of us are throwing hope right out the window. Hope doesn’t invalidate the tragedy of a situation. Hope happens despite that tragedy. And hope can HELP. Hope is its own medicine.
Lots of the people who are stressed and scared could use some positive and uplifting stories about COVID-19, especially those people that catch it themselves. Maybe these stories could teach others what to do if they get sick and comfort them by showing them that there is hope.
Instead, people are adding to the suffering by condemning people for being positive regarding the pandemic. Do they think it’s disrespectful to the people that died? Do they really think positive news will lead to others being reckless with public safety (remember what I said earlier…if a person is being reckless now, when everything is only focusing on the shit of it, nothing is gonna change that person’s recklessness)? But sharing hope can help those that are suffering and afraid. Whatever the reason- here is the thing: lack of hope is way more dangerous than sharing positive news.
Know this
Your beliefs will become your reality. How do you want to approach COVID if you or your family contracts it? Do you want to approach it in fear… or with hope? You have the choice regardless of what the news, government or any entity outside of ourselves is saying. We are in charge of how we feel. We have the power to turn off and tune out all the noise and fear mongering.
Focus on what brings you joy. If the news does not bring you joy, then turn it off. If social media does not bring you joy, then get off it. Put things in place to protect yourself, focus on your health and what is in your control. Surround yourself with hope instead of fear and watch how it transforms how you feel.
