Fear breeds fear

S cotland, and t he world’s, current serious medical and f i nanci a l p o s i t i o n, might benefit from examining past events. The financial situation can be compared to the 1 930’ s Depression. Frankl i n Roosevelt’s 1 933 i naugural address star ted with these words: “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is... fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyses needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”

We may fear Covid- 19 yet need not l i ve i n “unjus t i - fied terror”. Roosevelt’s New Deal employed 8.5 million on infrastructure projects ( many outside in the open air). This workforce paid taxes and purchased goods which helped, over time, America’s economic recovery and build roads and dams which still ser ve America today.

John Maynard Keynes’ Open Letter to President Roosevelt also has some relevance today: “You are engaged on a double task, Recovery and Reform; – recovery from the slump and the passage of those business and social reforms which are long overdue. For the first, speed and quick results are essential. The second may be urgent too; but haste will be injurious, and wisdom of longrange purpose is more necessary than immediate achievement.’

Our r e f or m t o day i s t he task of leaving behind now o u t p a c e d i n d u s t r i e s a n d unworkable s e r v i c e businesses while mothballing until some unknown date in the future those which will in time again be viable while keeping our workforce gainfully employed.

Furthermore, fear is conquered by sound knowledge and wise action. If every town i n Scotland knew whether there were local Covid- 19 cases and how they were likely contracted, many people would be free to shop with caution rather than hide at home in fear. This would boost local business and the whole population would come to know

which actions to avoid. Fear breeds fear and foolishness. We needs must be wise.

KEN CAREW Minden Crescent, Dumfries