1. I’m noticing a trend on Facebook. It’s slightly less pronounced than it was a few weeks ago but it goes something like this.
2. People fall into one of two(ish) camps: We’re sheltering in place for the duration so if you need me just text or (and these folks are a little more intense) I’M LIVING MY LIFE AND IF THAT MEANS GETTING CORONA THEN I GET CORONA, THERE’S NO POINT LIVING IN FEAR ALL THE TIME, PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR DAMN MINDS.
3. This showdown of sorts started popping up in my feed about the time healthcare workers began disagreeing with the administration.
4. One side was all hey, man, this is gonna get bad, we should get ahead of it now while the other was all life’s too short to live in a bubble, carpe diem!
5. And things were basically civil…for a while. But slowly and steadily posts got more heated.
6. Better safe than sorry shifted toward This isn’t just for me, it’s gonna take all of us stepping back for this thing to clear out. When Carpe diem slid into I’m going to do what I damn well want and it’s ridiculous you’re letting a bunch of talking heads run your life like this I worried that brains all over the world would explode.
7. I’ve gotten pretty masterful at culling my feed so I ignored the crossfire, but one day it showed up in the most unlikely place.
8. This particular corner of Facebook has been unfailingly supportive, positive, and reaffirming; even in disagreement members strove for civility. For ten years those folks have been unerringly polite which is why I had to pick my jaw up off the floor this week when one came out with guns blazing.
9. My latest mantra is I’m not a fish, I can choose not to take the bait, so I didn’t engage. I suppose he’d grown tired of being told it’s irresponsible to keep going out while the number of Coronavirus cases rises exponentially but still, that level of vitriol on that particular page was telling.
10. Nerves are frayed, people, and it’s only going to get worse. Here’s what I’m thinking. We can pull this out if we all just listen to the s-c-i-e-n-c-e, please. No puffed out chests, no “no damn body’s gonna tell me to stay at home”, no ‘Merica! Just science. Make those teachers proud.
Riddle from the Middle 
You’re much better than I at not engaging. I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut, lol.
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Well, sometimes it takes a conscious effort, like I’m talking myself down off a cliff or something. 😆
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I really fear the “me first” types and they are everywhere.
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And so SO noticeable right now.
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Sadly.
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We are a reactionary society. We are, too often, an “entitled” society. We praise pioneers, but sometimes being a pioneer does NOT mean braving ill winds, sometimes it means using common sense, ignoring blowhards who are not as smart as the average bear, and listening to those who know.
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Carol, you’ve nailed it. This really is a time for pioneers. We’re deciding how to behave in a world where everything has tilted sideways and what we do now will determine, literally, who lives and dies.
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Yes, Laura. Science does not fail us. I am not taking the bait, either. I am using the unfollow option more often these days. I control what gets into my feed and therefore into my head. Let common sense prevail.
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Very true. I’ve stopped visiting that particular page for a while. My kids need me unflustered and focused right now. Heck, **I** need me unflustered and focused right now.
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Truer words were never spoken.
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Absolutely right Laura. This is time to lay the ego on one side and be sensible.
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Someone said Americans would struggle with this because culturally we’re not a community-first mindset. I’m sure seeing that these days.
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Unfortunately, we all are. But people can find their balance after a while.
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Since most of us can’t always lead, where we end up depends on who we follow. Good for you for avoiding the bait. Some people tribe on anger.
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Oh, Dan, IT CAN BE SO HARD. Because I have all these feelings and when I feel very very strongly about something my instinct generally isn’t to keep my mouth shut. Here’s to making the sound choices.
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You remind me of my father. Of course it was when social meant face to face and he was a large imposing man, but he did not willing suffer stupid people.
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yes, i’m seeing this as well. do what is right, based on science, that is the best we can do, for us, and for others. find the way that works for you to stay sane and happy and busy in the meantime, as we wait it out
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Beth, you’ve put it perfectly.
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This will turn round. The speed will depend on us being humble and listening to people who know the stuff better than those who just don’t. Keep smiling.
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I know it will, eventually. They kept asking experts on CNN yesterday questions about when we’d turn the corner and they pretty much said in every possible way “it’s all up to the human factor now.” Guess we’ll see.
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