The American definition of bravery has always been to exert your personal freedom.
That needs to change during the COVID-19 outbreak.
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But I knew then that I had to breathe deep and fight my fears and get behind the wheel.
Thats what bravery was: doing things, out in the world, showing people you werent afraid.
But bravery has never been just that.
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It was only selfishness, and way more stupid than locking your knees while singing in the church choir.
And it wasnt just young people displaying their misplaced sense of bravery; it was old people, too.
It was the people who we often turn to for wisdom in a crisis.
Theyd also met friends for dinner.
They said this somewhat proudly.
It would be fine, they said, this panic is overstated.
They live in Florida; theyve weathered many a hurricane.
But this is not a hurricane, I tried to tell them.
The panic is real.
For the love of God, just stay home.What are you people even thinking?
It was all infuriating, but it wasnt in the least bit surprising.
But this time, were up against an entirely different enemy, and there are different rules.
We got back up again, resuming normal or semi-normal activities, to show the terrorists they hadnt won.
They couldnt and would never win.
And so, so brave.
AsHeather Havrilesky wrote for The Cut, We Americans have been training for this pandemic with denial.
(And then lets show it off on our Instagrams, shall we?
Our orchestrated vulnerability is so brave.)
Or we might be alone in a 250-square-foot apartment with no end in sight.
In fact, theres very little we can control.
I asked what he thinks about bravery and how the American psyche is handling the situation.
But also, boredom is one of humanitys most terrifying emotions, he said.
Its not unusual, then, that wed see what were seeing.
But its time for an important recalibration, and it starts with ourselves.
There are so many ways to be brave right now.
Call your elderly neighbors and relatives and check on them.
Have an honest conversation with your parents about your fears.
Set up a Skype appointment with a therapist.
If you are in a position of privilege, share.
Wash your hands, and wash them again.
Take care of someone you love.
Create art that channels your fear and makes you feel strong.
Well get through it eventually.
We have to just be brave enough to stop and wait.
After social distancing could come sheltering in placeheres what that means.
And here aresix common myths doctors want you to stop believing about COVID-19.
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