3. We have never been more equipped in our history to handle an epidemic like this.

There have been pandemics & plagues before. But now we have clean air & water, genomics & much higher living standards throughout the world. 15/

Some examples. In 1918, There was no Internet to instantly share research & findings. There was no Gates Foundation to fund massive vaccine development for things that worked to get it to everyone. 16/

Yes we may have bad governments, but we have a free press. Secrets can’t be kept for long. When things happen in jails, border communities & nursing homes, we don’t find out 5 years later. We find out 5 days later. 17/

4. How COVID spreads is not a mystery. We know how to stop it. It may feel frustrating to know this but this would feel much more dire if we didn’t know how.

Yes we need to summon the will. But public opinion polls say it is there. 4 out of 5 are ready to do what it takes. 18/

5. Loneliness is a real thing. @vivek_murthy is an expert and written on this. He’s the person briefing @Joebiden every day on the pandemic.

You can meet him & listen to him here. 19/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-bubble-with-andy-slavitt/id1504128553?i=1000471528674

6. Sure some things have changed temporarily. There are big missing pieces to life. Hugging your mom. Movies. Socializing. Maybe church or something else you are missing.

But most things haven’t changed. 20/

There are still really good people. There are still assholes. There are no more assholes than before. They may just bother us more now.

Maybe you’ve made some unpleasant realizations about human nature. Well, there are amazing ones too. 21/

-the people who have been babysitting for free for health care workers
-people who are developing vaccines & tests for free
-teams procuring N95s at no cost
-neighbors who drop off meals

I’ve been blown away by many showing their true colors. 22/

7. I find fresh air, good music, birds, taking a walk, exercising, talking to a friend I haven’t talk to in a while, skipping meetings, seeing younger people do cool stuff & a bunch of other small joys.

I also find stuff funny. 23/

9. Yes we have to sacrifice. But that won’t be forever. Our parents & grandparents & beyond probably sacrificed for much longer.

They all looked fine. They looked older but fine. 24/

10/ Get help. Anyway from anyone.

There are great online therapists. All over the place. On line, via Zoom.

It helps. They know what to do. They have seen this all before.

We all need help to get through stuff. /end