Sunday, December 06, 2020

Rising up against frustration

All over the world people are rising up against their governments. And against scientists. They state they are living in a dictatorship because of facemask mandates, their local bars being closed and other measures governments are taking to control the Coronavirus pandemic, backed by scientists. People are crazy with frustration so are very gullible when it comes to 'news' that seems to back up their 'gut feeling'. They mean 'a Facebook post from a conspiracy theorist' but say they did their own research because they don't want to appear stupid. But it's okay: they're simply very gullible.

People protesting against government measures to clamp down a pandemic is not new. First time in recorded history that happened was in London. In 1625. The pandemic at the time became known as The Plague. In stead of listening to science (okay, science at the time did not know what a virus was so - just like today - even scientists had to guess at what could possibly work against getting sick) people resorted to blaming other people. Jews mostly. 'How come so many of us are dying and so few of them?'

Mid 14th Century the same thing was happening with The Black Death: Jews were blamed. How come less Jews than other groups of people died?

Simple: An important part of Jewish laws is good hygiene. A quick burial of the dead, handwashing, staying indoors during an epidemic, not dipping your bread in the bowl your guest dips his piece of bread in, et cetera.

Perhaps we can learn from previous pandemics. And from Jews. Note: not from the extremist Jews that refuse to stay indoors and wear a facemask when going outside 'because Jahweh will protect us!'
Religous fanatics have two things in common: 1. They put all of their trust into a deity and not into science. 2. They die (click) before their time.). 


But first we have to stop trusting Facebook posts.



Want to read (more of) my short stories? My author page: Terrence Weijnschenk at Amazon

No comments: