THE POLITICS OF FEAR

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”  FDR

The Way We Were

At one time, people, including politicians, understood the dangers of giving into fear.  We were told to conquer fear and move bravely forward, bravery not being the absence of fear but the will to push on anyway.  After Pearl Harbor (and 9/11), many people enlisted, wanting to be part of the solution, even at the risk of their lives. 

Both my parents’ families escaped religious persecution, one side in Germany, the other in Russia, emigrating to the US despite having little idea of what would come next.  But they were hardworking and persevered despite many hardships.  They had courage and strength.  Most people did in those days.  Even during the Depression, most Americans managed to survive and ultimately thrive.  They did not give in to fear.

Why We Need to Shun Fear

Fear can make sense in some situations.  We need to feel fear when threatened so that our amygdala is engaged and helps us with fight or flight.  But we also need to understand when something is a real threat and when it is not, so that we only engage our response when absolutely needed. 

When we choose to experience fear, it can lead to personal growth, empowerment and a feeling of accomplishment.  We need to challenge ourselves.  However, chronic fear is dangerous to our body. 

When we sense danger, we release hormones which slow or shut down functions not needed for immediate survival, such as our digestive system.  It sharpens functions we need to respond, such as our eyesight and our heart rate.  These hormones also trigger the amygdala which helps us focus on handling the peril.  Temporary changes such as these are helpful, assuming the threat ends.

In chronic fear, you begin to impact your immune system, making you more susceptible to disease as well as poorer outcomes.  It causes cardiovascular changes, GI issues such as GERD and ulcers and decreased fertility. (Those stressing over getting pregnant are less likely to be successful.)  Fear leads to accelerated aging and sometimes, premature death. 

Memory issues are common and it can be hard to form long-term memories.  In many cases, it damages the hippocampus, meaning that you have more difficulty managing your fears.  With chronic fear, you are anxious all the time.  Your brain is also hijacked, making it harder to regulate emotions, read cues, understand information, stop and think before acting.  You may also find it is harder to act ethically, as you are responding more to your primitive brain than the evolved one.  Fatigue, depression and even PTSD are possible.

“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear.”  Frank Herbert, Dune

Why Do We Care Now?

Too many of us are in a state of chronic fear now, due to media and political reporting.  The CCP virus has been so overhyped that people fear touching packages in stores and their own mail, and stay isolated lest they become infected.   The reality is that if you are in good health and especially if you’ve been vaccinated, there is little to worry about.  In fact, given the progress of the Omicron variant, it’s almost a good idea to get it, just like we used to have German measles parties when we were kids.  Get it over with.

We have vaccinations and most important, a wide variety of treatments.  Sure, it wouldn’t be a fun time, any more than having a bad cold or the flu is fun.   And for those who are immunocompromised in any way, you do need to be careful.  But you don’t need paranoia to destroy your body and your mind first.

Many of the deaths of this virus were due to delayed treatment or being unwilling to try anything when the person first became sick.  Most people were told to wait till they needed to go to the hospital to seek help.  We’ve never done this before; it’s simply bad medicine.  Even as hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, fluvoxamine and more have been criticized, too many have found relief through these options and more are coming every day.  In fact, getting Covid is easier on your body than living in fear.  It’s your choice.

Why Are They Scaring Us?

The genesis of the scare tactics was power and control.  Governments now enjoy huge powers to infringe on our freedoms that they could never have achieved without widespread fear, fear they caused themselves.  If you aren’t worried about the impact of fear on yourself, consider the impact of fear on our personal liberties.  We have a choice here; to continue to abide by the political “science” of Fauci and the CDC or to take charge and end the charade of terror.  Only then can we start lobbying for an end to the authoritarianism rife around the world.

I refuse to live in a state of fear.  I refused even as this first started out, as I know the capabilities of our scientists, their ingenuity and their grit.  I also know that we have biological weapons research going on in America, which helps us triumph over bad actors and their diseases.  Are you with me?  Let’s start living our lives again, and show the politicians the door.