This is WORLD WAR III

Albert Einstein is often quoted as having said: “I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.”

I think Einstein thought humans would obliterate each other with nuclear weapons. He probably did not realize that the threat could be a deadly virus. While the virus is dangerous, what is important is how people handle the pandemic. The weapons we have are vaccines, physical distancing, handwashing and sanitizing, shutting down most businesses, including airlines, and not permitting public gatherings of any size. 

If the virus is not held in check, World WAR lV might be fought with sticks and stones.

Embedded in the word “pandemic” is the word panic.

There is a valid fear: the virus is deadly.

There is an irrational fear: overreaction to the virus—the fear of the fear. 

Another “weapon” is alienating us from each other.

Pandemics are a disaster, but most disasters bring us together, and we support/comfort each other. However, this worldwide pandemic is a global disaster, so how does it differ from most disasters? This pandemic is isolating.

To be continued . . . 

With care and concern, 

Dr. Bea Mackay