I know that #SocialDistancing and isolation, #economic hardships and a host of other #pandemic related woes are very real and impacting people in profound ways all over the globe. Things are not good for so many. Things are frustrating for the privileged...

...but the worst of it will pass, and we will return to some kind of normal. Maybe it will be normal-normal if we have a vaccine. Maybe it will be a new-normal. Let's pause and thing about the possibilities of what we may be able to look forward to!

And interesting, and possibly relevant fact, is that life expectancy usually drops during times of economic expansion, and rises during recessions - likely a result of putting profit and work over individual well-being. That's something to think about: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928172530.htm

Second, I hear a lot of people suggesting we must re-open to "save the economy". We're getting there, but we need to be cautious. Isn't saving lives the priority here? I may be naive. Anyway, regarding patience:

Third, I hear statements like kids need to go back to school b/c parents need to work (presumably because they need money to live). This is only as true as our society allows it to be. We are living in an unprecedented crisis. There are some essential workers who need to work....

...to save lives and feed us. They may or may not have kids. Everyone else only has to work because we have not (not yet?) provided the population with sufficient supports to protect their lives. Is this expensive? YASSSS!

But we also can (as a society) choose compassion over profits; we can find ways for governments to get the revenues to save lives! (Spoiler: compassionate wealthy people won't mind at all; greedy ones will totally mind)...

Some say, "OMG we have over-reacted - our ERs and ICUs are not busy at all!" - this is such faulty reasoning! Is it that the virus is no big deal (please, though, ask NYC, Italy, Michigan about that), or is it that we made good choices and avoided disaster?

A lot of people have a lot to say about the virtues of #HerdImmunity". Most of them are not MDs. Please, if you curious, ask some MDs, especially those in places like NY state. Oh you can't? Because some have died and the rest are super busy? OK then.

Finally, I am not an MD. I'm urging people please, please listen to some MDs. Maybe you have friends; maybe you can spend some time looking at serious medical journals (not fake or predatory ones). I mean, even just pay attention to @steak_umm instead of nonMD randos like me.