FEAR creates Real Problems

“Fear is only caused to a very limited extent by real problems, and it justifies itself by subsequently creating real problems”

Luc Vanderlinden MD

The world is in the grip of fear about Covid-19 (Coronavirus). The virus has now spread to over 170 countries and the death toll is climbing every day. The majority of governments have chosen to implement strict lockdown measures and social distancing to try and prevent the spread of coronavirus. The consequences of these lockdowns are going to be immense, and the shockwaves will be felt for many years to come. There is a risk of global economic collapse, social chaos, and physical hardship for the majority of the world’s population. When I examine the statistics, I find myself asking why? Why do we risk creating even greater problems for a relatively low number of deaths?

Just to get things in perspective, lets look at some other statistics. The source of which is www.worldomoters.com. I cannot vouch for the accuracy and I am assuming that the figures are created from algorithms, however it is safe to assume that even if the figure is not 100% accurate, it is in the general ballpark.

This year to date (March 30^th 2020), global death rates for different causes are;

Covid-19 – 34 839

Influenza – 119 234

Hunger – 2 742 965

Contaminated Water – 206 536

HIV/AIDS related illnesses – 412 300

Cancer – 2 014 323

Malaria – 240 575

Smoking related illnesses – 1 226 087

Alcohol related – 613 433

Suicide – 263 011

Road traffic accidents – 331 086

Mothers during childbirth – 78 110

I understand that the figures will keep increasing for Covid-19, however it still remains a low number when put against all these other causes of deaths. Many of these causes are preventable if we took more care about what we put into our mouths ie smoking, alcohol, poor quality food, contaminated water etc or took more care when driving, or were given more emotional support, or we evened up wealth distribution throughout the world.

So why all the panic about Covid-19?

The only answer that makes sense is that Covid-19 is indiscriminate in its victims. Wealthy people from first world countries are at just as much risk as poor people from third world countries. Also, the financial elite are not necessarily making money out of it like they do by economic activities such as fossil fuels, sugars, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, plastic production etc.  In fact the largest group of deaths is well off, white males over a certain age. Many of our world leaders are well off, white males over a certain age. We have already seen that people in the upper echelons of society and wealth are not immune. People such as Prince Albert of Monaco, Prince Charles, and Boris Johnson (UK Prime Minister) have all contracted the virus.

As a result, the panic button has been hit.

It is not all doom and gloom though. It helps to look for the silver lining in this unprecedented situation. In fact I am feeling extremely optimistic that Coronavirus is going to accelerate the demise of the incumbent patriarchy. Many of those that have been steadfastly holding onto patriarchal ideas and practices will be amongst the victims of Coronavirus. Although this is not a happy situation and many people are suffering either from illness or loss, the world before coronavirus was in free-fall. We were heading for an environmental disaster of catastrophic proportions. At the very least, the lockdown measures are allowing Mother Earth to eliminate toxins, and clear her clogged lungs and breathe.  Interestingly the nature of the virus mirrors the environmental issues that the earth has been experiencing.

In the aftermath, will there be increased empathy for the earth, and people in general?

My biggest concern is that all this fear will create a very real problem of social chaos and anarchy. The loss of social structure, increased criminal activity and general lawlessness are all very real threats. This is where we must all do our bit to help avoid this undesirable outcome. We all need to focus our attention on love, compassion, gratitude, and joy. We must find our happy place amongst the environment of panic and pandemic. The more of us that can raise our energetic vibration, the lower the risk is of chaos taking over.

Each and every one of us can be part of the solution rather than contributing to the problem.

If you are suffering from anxiety, stress, depression, loneliness, or emotional distress as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, please contact Lynne via her website www.lynnethorsen.com As a qualified holistic therapist, she can help you alleviate these issues.