or Prudence?
2020 and 2021 have been years indelibly marked by Covid-19 and the controversy surrounding it. On the one hand, you have the medical researchers and scientists who have methodically studied the virus and its effects. They do all they can to understand the virus in hopes that this understanding can lead to ways to protect all humanity from the Covid-19 virus. This is called “research”. Yes, there are those who feel reading articles on the internet constitutes research, but we all know that you can find supporting articles on the internet for just about any bizarre idea you would want to come up with. This is not real research. It is personal affirmation, confirming a belief the “researcher” has an emotional attachment to.
On the other hand are a group of people who are convinced that this virus is subject to decrees issued by those in authority. It doesn’t work like that. Nature pays no attention to the decrees and proclamations of those in authority, except perhaps the ultimate authority, but that is a whole different story.
A lot has been said about “fear” of the virus, living in fear, centering your life around this fear, fear as the driving force in one’s life. Obviously, fear can be a great motivator. Just turn on the TV and see “fear marketing” in action. “Are you missing out on Medicare Benefits?” “Do you climb dangerous ladders to clean out your rain gutters?” “What are you going to do if your dreaded ‘Check Engine Light’ comes on?”
Let me ask you something. Why don’t you reach out at the Zoo and try to pet the bears, the tigers or the other animals? Is it fear? Why don’t you drive down the left side of the interstate? Is it fear? Why don’t you take a gun, point it at your head and pull the trigger? Is it fear? I assert that this is not fear, but prudence; an understanding that these behaviors may be detrimental to you long term and short term happiness, health and well-being. It is prudent to not point guns at yourself or anyone else. It is prudent to drive on the right side of the interstate. It is prudent to leave the zoo animals on their side of the barriers and for us to stay on our side.
Now there is a group of people who say that those who wear masks and follow the government guideline as pertaining to Covid-19 and get vaccinated are living in fear. Are they trying to make themselves look braver or stronger because they reject real research and have decided to sheepishly follow an authority figure who has publicly admitted that he has done everything he could to underplay the perceived threat.
I don’t really want to get into a politically charged and controversial topic, but the name calling has to stop. Those who feel it is prudent to get vaccinated and wear masks should be applauded. They are taking the steps they feel are prudent for protecting themselves and their wives with fragile health, their young children who cannot get vaccinated and other random strangers who choose not to wear a mask or get vaccinated.
There are some very good reasons for some people to avoid the mask and the vaccine, but it is not a matter of fear or of being a sheep.
Do we study Karate because we are afraid? For many, that might be the starting point. However, that fear is not enough to sustain long term training in the arts. Many feel it is prudent to prepare for the eventuality of personal attack. They may never have been attacked, but we know it is possible. Some recognize the mental, emotional and physical benefits of the training. It’s good for you and offers a method of exercise that is more than just exercise. It is exercise with a purpose.
As the sage said, “It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.”l-
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