Facing history and ourselves: coronavirus in a time of cognitive dissonance
Fabrice Houdart
In April 25, 2018, I sat in the Capitol’s gallery when President Macron gave a stern warning to joint Congress on the consequences of retreating from multilateralism in general and the Paris Agreement in particular. He ended by saying “We only have one Planet A and there is No Planet B!” getting a standing ovation from all but the Republicans. I watched incredulously as they showed their disagreement by remaining seated and not clapping. Did they know of a planet B? Who are these people?
Two years later, I got the same feeling listening to Chad Wolf, the acting secretary of Homeland Security, claim the flu mortality rate was about the same as that of the coronavirus outbreak. A baffling statement when the death rate from seasonal flu is typically around 0.1% in the U.S., compared to at least ten times that number for Covid-19.
In my day job, I observe the same cognitive dissonance from LGBT people. This summer, rich white gay men continued to support Stephen Ross’ Equinox despite him funding an immediate threat to their rights. When asked about their behavior, they invariable shared their belief that LGBT rights would take care of themselves with or without them fighting for it. If the future is bright, what is more important than abdominals? they implied.
The reality is that after more than 60 years of relative peace, prosperity and increased comfort, many americans have gotten used to the idea that things will only get better. That there is some magical invisible hand that protect them. Yet, as I watched the acclaimed “1st cow” last night, I was reminded that less than two hundred years ago, their ancestors were scratching the earth for mushrooms in the wilderness, not far from the constant insecurity of cavemen.
History is marked by regular wars, famines, catastrophes and pogroms. The West’s recent immunity to plagues is an exception, not the rule. It is a hard-won aberration, the product of science — the search for truth — multilateralism and political stability. Moving away from these quests was strange in the first place. Covid-19 makes it ubuesque.
Last night, I read a post by an educated friend of mine on Facebook (my mistake, I agree) dismissing the pandemic as hyped up with a flippant recommendation to “Wash your hands. Sanitize. Live your life.”
I beg to differ with him: rather than « live your life » take precautions and stay home for the next few weeks as there are unequivocal signs that it might be key to your survival (read Prognosis: There Is a ‘Tipping Point’ Before Coronavirus Kills).
In fact, I would say that facing the fragility of our lives of comfort, dignity and opportunity is key to our common survival.
This month, we are facing history or ourselves. May Covid-19 be the reminder of our individual responsibility when it comes to preventing other plagues whether it is climate change or the oppression of minorities.
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