Thread by @FreedomFriesInc

(1) Love this. Been thinking lately that at times like this our forbears would say to each other "don't you know there's a war on?"

The pandemic + flow on effects make life extra hard for most people. For at least 2 years. Pace yourself.

Choose perspective, empathy & wisdom.

https://twitter.com/DollyParton/status/1362431803391377409

(2) I think almost everyone, if they're honest, will agree that the politicization of the pandemic is a bad thing.

I get few RTs these days because I started openly questioning the actions & omissions of former President Trump in Nov-Dec 2020.

And I don't support the left.

(3) If I'm proud of anything, it's my willingness to make political "conscience" decisions regardless of the fallout.

I used to think everyone was willing to do this at some point. Disheartened to learn yet again that most prefer to stay in their tribe.

Oh well.

(4) Dolly Parton's statement today is pretty much the first sign of the direction in which we should all go in 2021.

It's not a left or right thing. It's a human thing.

A tiny number of people think Covid is exaggerated, at best. They are wrong.

(5) IMO it's true that the far left have distorted many of the key facts about Covid & official responses around the world.

This fueled the fire and made it easier for the far right to distort many of the facts, too.

Both extremes have contributed to preventable suffering.

(6) This pandemic is the most significant international event since WWII. I think I can support the assertion well if asked.

I predict the worst of it will take at least 2 years before the world starts to get free of it. We're halfway through that.

Are you pacing yourself?

(7) I'm lucky to have learned a lot about the USA throughout my 50ish years on Earth. I also know a lot about New Zealand, too.

This gives me an edge when analyzing official responses in both countries. I could write a book on the differences in governing systems. But:

(8) There are ton of similarities, too.

The differences between the US and NZ mean that what works on one place will not work in the other.

NZ is lucky to be surrounded by ocean and have ports of entry officials can control. Covid hasn't taken hold yet.

(9) We had our third brush with Covid this week, when our time-honored "go hard and early" plan swung into action and we managed once again to contain a potential outbreak in just 72 hours of lockdown, testing & tracing. I doubt anyone else can do this now.

(10) NZ's luck allows me the space to analyze the pandemic & its responses' effects on individuals, families, communities, & countries.

IMO too many on the far right are using blame, denial & minimization to justify their politicization of it. (Far left also getting it wrong.)

(11) In every country, government decisions on the pandemic have life and death implications for certain groups, eg: seniors, others with certain comorbidities (eg, me.)

It's normal for people to get extremely angry about decisions that could threaten our own lives.

(12) In certain public places, I wear a mask, only to make certain others feel comfortable. I know that to be effective, a mask must be of a certain type, and used correctly, with proper eye protection.

Instead of arguing, I just wear the damn mask.

(13) I need every bit of emotional health I can get, so I'm not going to waste some of that on a pointless debate with a stranger.

IMHO, calling a truce (for now) on unimportant things is the key happiness.

Decide what matters right now, and what doesn't.

(14) I have no choice but to take this approach because my physical health status is affected by stressful events when they persist for more than a few days or weeks.

Folk like me are the canaries in the coal mine. We can give advance warning bc we're already feeling it.

(15) Be like Dolly Parton. Step back, take some time to get perspective.

Our brains are hard wired to alert us of potential danger. They also offer the capacity to use reason.

Don't be like the Capitol rioters:

(16) Most of the now charged Capitol rioters are hardcore Trump supporters. They allowed the "danger! danger!" part of the brain to dictate their actions.

I wish the MAGA agenda was still in power, of course. But it's not, nor will it be next month or next year. Bc of the riot.

(17) Both sides use exaggerated fear to motivate the masses. The only dif is what they focus on. Judge them on their actions & omissions, not their words.

Both sides contribute. Top Dems haven't been caught condoning violence at the HQ of the US legislative branch.

(18) I loathe most D policies, but at least they haven't promoted, condoned (& possibly helped enable) violence at such a significant place & time.

The right's law abiding majority can work with the left's law abiding majority.

Don't get sucked in by D or R extremists.

(19) It's all connected, whether deliberate or not: Covid, elections, political violence, the ongoing need for governments to make pandemic response decisions.

Then even more stress comes along, in the form of severe weather & utility outages.

Be a giver, not a taker.

(20) Give support to those around you, like Dolly Parton always does.

Don't take from them by acting on extremist propaganda from the left OR the right.

Study WWII and the means by which we won it.

(21) Domestic division is usually part of how a country loses a war.

I'm not asking you to say either side's extremism is OK.

Accepting reality is a good way to find serenity. This can help you get through these difficult times.