I’ve always been someone who exercises caution. As a child, I would sit at the edge of the sandbox, feet planted firmly outside, playing with a spoon in the sand. Walking barefoot on grass made me uneasy because I couldn’t tell what I might step on. I relied on water wings for swimming until I was nearly seven.
If you know anything about the Enneagram, I fall into type 6. This means that anxiety is a familiar companion for me—ever-present but manageable. Although I’ve never been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, the feeling has always lingered, like an imaginary friend. It offers me a sense of safety, yet the more I acknowledge its existence, the more peculiar I appear to those around me. Therefore, it’s no surprise that an unprecedented global pandemic would amplify my cautious tendencies.
Throughout this pandemic, my partner and I have taken every possible precaution. We adhere to the guidelines set forth by health experts: no indoor dining, no gym visits, no air travel, and no maskless interactions. Before gathering with friends or family without masks, we ensure that everyone involved has been equally cautious. It can be exhausting.
Everyone is weary of this virus. We long for the day when we can breathe without a mask, attend concerts, dine out, celebrate at house parties, and reunite with distant family members. I feel this fatigue deeply, but it stems from the lifestyle changes I’ve made due to COVID-19—a situation many people I know have not mirrored.
I live in a conservative area in the South, where many are not taking the virus seriously. They refuse to make even minimal sacrifices for the community or their loved ones. Their justification often surfaces on social media: they proclaim, “I refuse to live in fear,” while criticizing those of us who are taking precautions against COVID.
This argument frustrates me because it highlights a larger issue: selfishness.
Here’s the truth: taking this virus seriously is not synonymous with “living in fear.” Choosing not to socialize with friends and family who disregard public health advice is not an act of fearfulness. In reality, labeling responsible individuals as overly fearful is a form of gaslighting that needs to be recognized. When you accuse someone who is cautious of being irrationally afraid, you undermine a valid human response to an unprecedented crisis. Gaslighting manipulates others by making them question their feelings—a tactic that is inherently wrong and should never be used against someone you care for.
Moreover, the “I refuse to live in fear” argument is a flawed coping mechanism that rationalizes irresponsible behavior. I’m tired of witnessing individuals act as if everything is normal, then using this slogan to justify actions that endanger both themselves and others. Health experts worldwide have repeatedly outlined the necessary steps to curb the virus’s spread: wear masks in public, avoid gatherings where masks aren’t worn, steer clear of indoor dining, and maintain a responsible social bubble. These are minor sacrifices in the grand scheme of things. Yet, when we refuse to make these sacrifices, we find ourselves facing a dire reality—over 1,000 daily deaths, nearly 150,000 new cases, and healthcare systems on the brink of collapse.
So don’t tell me that my responsibility amounts to “living in fear.” I am not afraid; I am compassionate. I am choosing to live in a way that signifies my desire for this pandemic to end, taking steps to ensure it does. When you attempt to make me feel irrational for being responsible, you only reveal your own selfishness—prioritizing your social life over the well-being of others. It’s time we start holding those who use this argument accountable for what they truly are: selfish.
This article was originally published on November 24, 2020. For more insights on pregnancy and home insemination, check out our other blog post here. Also, you can find valuable information at Make a Mom, an authority on this subject. For additional resources, visit WebMD, an excellent guide for pregnancy and home insemination.
Search Queries:
- How to navigate pandemic precautions
- Understanding selfish behavior during COVID-19
- The impact of gaslighting on responsibility
- Why taking health precautions is not fear
- Community responsibility during a pandemic
Summary:
The article discusses the author’s cautious nature and the frustration with those who dismiss pandemic precautions by claiming they refuse to “live in fear.” It emphasizes that taking COVID-19 seriously is not about fear, but about compassion and responsibility. The author argues that such dismissive attitudes reflect selfishness and a lack of concern for the well-being of others.