This article was originally published on ETFTrends.com.
A distressing aspect of the pandemic—aside from the sickness, death, and recession—is the way it turned into a political and social wedge.
I wish, back when it started, we could have all pledged something like this:
“OK, here is a big problem none of us wanted. We’ll sort out the blame later. For now, we need to cooperate on the solution. We’ll trust experts to give us their best advice, knowing they will modify it as they learn more. We’ll accept some inconvenience, forgive each other’s mistakes, and just get through this.”
But no. Every little thing became an argument, at least in the US. I think this reflects a broader loss of trust among Americans.
In any case, it’s an economic problem because trust is the grease that enables growth. Lack of it extended both the pandemic and recession.
The vaccines that will get us out of this mess are also triggering a whole new argument.
Source: Marco Verch/Flickr
Different Boats
Disasters, wars, and pandemics should be times in which everyone works together against the common threat. We’re all in the same boat, so to speak.
Except we’re not in the same boat. Some have been able to work at home, have food delivered, and otherwise avoid the threat. Others—including those who made it possible for the first group to stay safe—remained exposed.
So that was frustrating and divisive. The vaccines were supposed to equalize it by protecting everyone. So far, they’re proving very safe and effective, including against the known variants. That was a big concern back in January.
Better yet, the latest studies show fully vaccinated people are protected not only against severe disease, but are also unlikely to infect others.
So the data is encouraging. But now we’re in an awkward in-between period.
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The fully vaccinated population is very safe from either becoming sick themselves or spreading the virus.
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Another (and for now, larger) not fully vaccinated population is still vulnerable, and still potential virus carriers.
If we ever were in the same boat, we’re certainly not anymore.
We spent months adapting to an environment where everyone was a potential virus vector. Measures like masks and social distancing were the best response we had. Now we have a sizable and growing number for whom these precautions are no longer as necessary. They naturally want to be freed from the burden.
Meanwhile, others who aren’t yet fully vaccinated want the same. But doing so may endanger both themselves and others.
Papers, Please
Vaccinated and unvaccinated people are both circulating in public, and there’s no easy way to tell them apart. This is a problem. Vulnerable people can’t tell if those around them are safe or not.