Our response to the pandemic was long on science and short on cooperation. Let’s hope the battle over climate change has a happier ending.
The COVID-19 pandemic did not see bodies pile high or mass graves. The numbers being reported in the press are just that—abstract numbers. In the absence of visible evidence of imminent doom, the risk to human life can be weighed against the risk to economic well-being, individual freedom, or potential social disorder—and people come to different conclusions.
The melting Briksdal glacier lies above rocks it ground smooth and once covered in ice next to a lake created by meltwater on Aug. 11, 2020, near Olden, Norway.Climate change is already a contentious issue, with some claiming that global warming is a hoax being promoted for political or financial reasons. They see proposed guidelines aimed at reducing the use of fossil fuels, encouraging the use of electric vehicles, or potential changes in diet as further examples of imminent tyranny.
In America’s deeply divided society, attitudes toward masks have, like everything else, reflected political views and party affiliations. Mask wearers had greater trust in scientists. Those who resisted mask-wearing trusted leaders who scoffed at the reality of the virus or downplayed its seriousness and disparaged health officials for overreacting.
An overlap between right wingers and anti-vaxxers was evident in the early spring of 2020, when anti-vaxxers appeared in front of state capitols at armed protests opposing COVID-19 shutdowns. A number of anti-vaxxers accompanied the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Far-right extremists, including the Proud Boys, participated in anti-vaccination marches.
Tension and anger may diminish as the contagion subsides, but the mask and vaccination wars will leave a legacy that reinforces existing animosity and defiance, which will continue to affect society and its governing institutions. Democracies will be harder to govern. Politics will increasingly be marked by defiance and intimidation. Terrorism will be seen by some as increasingly justifiable.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
TikTok rolls out comment 'dislike' button to all users | EngadgetTikTok has rolled out a comment 'dislike' button that lets you downvote trolls..
Lire la suite »
TikTok now lets you downvote comments on videos | Digital TrendsTikTok is releasing a dislike button for comments to everyone today. Here's what to expect.
Lire la suite »
Texas pop-punk singer Maggie Lindemann lets fly with 'Suckerpunch'Pop singer Maggie Lindemann hopes her debut album 'Suckerpunch' hits fans with all the feelings
Lire la suite »
The Elk Live Bridge Lets You Jam Together OnlineWIRED Easy setup. Works seamlessly. Relatively low internet speed requirements. TIRED $15 monthly subscription fee. Doesn't work as an audio interface offline.
Lire la suite »
San Francisco firefighter wears 'Lets go Brandon' shirt while on dutyA San Francisco firefighter wore a shirt with the conservative phrase “Lets Go Brandon” written across the back while on duty Saturday morning.
Lire la suite »
James Earl Jones lets AI take over the voice of Darth VaderA startup used AI to recreate Vader’s voice in Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Lire la suite »