Some ethical/theological perspectives on public responses to the pandemic, and how to prepare for what’s in store

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We begin with a look at the public backlash against the authorities who are simply trying to save humanity from this existential threat:

• vaccine mandates
• vaccine revolts
• vaccine passports
• fake vaccine passports and fake consent forms
• masks
• hostility toward health professionals, government, police

Even if we can collectively get on board fully with the scientists and health-care professionals, whom our societies have trained and put in place in part to help us through threats like this, and get the entire human population vaccinated, it may not be over. We found out last week that COVID is in the animals all around us, and is constantly mutating, looking for the chinks in the armor of our immune systems and our R&D programs. So we’re going to have to stop deluding ourselves with the dream of “finally getting rid of COVID” and learning to live with COVID: it’s going to become a seasonal thing. Which means annual boosters (along with our annual flu shots).

It also means educating ourselves and our loved ones. To that end, Boyd and I look once again at how it is that some people can be so susceptible to science denial and wacky conspiracy theories. It’s wired into our brains: the rational “mammalian brain” (the frontal cortex) fighting against our much older, deeper, and more emotionally driven “reptilian brain”.

Perhaps some ideas to help you reason with your crazy uncle at the family Christmas gathering?

As always, tell us what you think …

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