@josh fear is a reaction mechanism but it also has an expression part when externalised ( or forced to externalise). As a mechanism is definitely associated with change of process or dangerous situation and is thus considered a feeling that we ( as awareness of self but also as material bodies ) experience during a stress inducing situation.

As a mechanism though it works well on short term and material risks, long term logic that human possess is modified and some times controlled by fear because we tend to materialise a long term stress factor as fear of something close to us and by doing so we abstract it into a place that can never be dealt with- in a way since we don’t see a tiger in front of us but we feel fear, “it must mean that a tiger could be behind every single corner i see”.

What beats fear is understanding its root cause, exposure and in extend rationalisation of it but sometimes as a short term mitigation for local risks also simply by moving away from the danger. But a long term stress and effects cannot be dealt with going away, so people turn to denial as a fear regulation mechanism.

That said, everyone is at a level accustomed and conditioned to deal with fear in social communities, also everyone is afraid and in denial of something at every moment of our lives.

the subject you bring up is exactly what I communicate to peers and friends of mine when we discuss this matter, our brain protects us from extreme states, but as we grow, it also tries to protect us from the path that leads to them by hiding the meaning of those from us.

Noone should make a habit of “my fear is more relevant than your fear”, nor “we should accept we will always be afraid”. Instead we need to act as support to each other in fear, and together experience life in a group that we accept each other for what they are, with the lines we collectively define.

@admin
Nanook, here's an illustration of how N95 respirators actually work: youtube.com/watch?v=eAdanPfQdC…

No idea where you got that 2% figure, but here's a study showing how effective N95s really are (very! though not perfect, and fit matters): journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/c…

And here's the layperson's account of that research: theconversation.com/yes-masks-…

Here's more information about the damage COVID can do to the body: panaccindex.info/p/what-covid-…

Good wishes on your health.

@themaskerscomic @admin Thanks for these Zorro. A lot riding on the use of “they” in the post you replied to 🤦 .

A practical demonstration of Brandolini’s law

@admin

Sir, the irrational thing here is you.

@elliek @askazero @auscovid19