The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Focus on the facts of COVID-19
It’s important to manage the ‘noise’ surrounding virus.
As the number of coronavirus victims increases each day, as politicians declare states of emergency, and some young folk refuse to heed any warnings, the rest of us are freaking out.
These are no doubt fearful times.
And so we find ourselves sheltering inside, away from our friends and neighbors, school classmates and even our places of worship. Restaurants in some places are prohibited from inviting customers inside. Entertainment venues are canceling concerts and other events. Public parks and beaches are closing — all to prevent further spread.
Normal things like eating out, working and socializing have become dangerous.
There’s a reason Jesus told us “do not be afraid.” Fear produces despair, it causes us to lose touch with reality.
There’s little doubt that this virus is real and deadly, but we shouldn’t allow the fear of it or its impact on our 401(k)s to consume our waking lives.
Joe McCormack, author of the new book “Noise: Living and Leading When Nobody Can Focus,” has something to say about that, but first a couple of disclaimers: He is neither a medical doctor nor an economic adviser.
McCormack teaches military units and corporations how to be clear communicators, to think in an age where a lot of things are competing for our attention.
“We’ve moved beyond information and are now generating a swell of noise,” McCormack said. “The messaging around the coronavirus is amplified to deafening levels. People are consuming hysteria, and it’s not doing us any favors.”
“Noise” is what he calls information overload from work emails, app notifications, the 24/7 news cycle, and social media updates.
“It’s like food,” he said. “We need it to nourish ourselves, so we keep eating, but what we’re eating isn’t good for us.”
If you suddenly see yourself in that description, beware. You probably also find it
With the stock market plunging, schools and businesses closed and professional sports put on hold, it may be hard to find joy amid the gloom of the coronavirus pandemic.
Yet, spring is here. For me, it‘s difficult to be gloomy when wildflowers are blooming, songbirds are singing, butterflies are flitting about and bees are buzzing — as they‘ve done every spring since time immemorial.
My heart gladdens when I come across the stunning white blooms of bloodroot, or hear the jaunty song of a Carolina wren, or watch a bumblebee sip nectar from a Virginia bluebell. They lift my spirit and calm my mind, and I can forget — at least temporarily — the upheaval around me.
Maria must have felt something similar when she sang in the opening scene of “The Sound of Music”: “I go to the hills, when my heart is lonely — I know I will hear, what I’ve heard before, my heart will be blessed with the sound of music, and I’ll sing once more.”
Harvard University researchers say that a simple walk in the woods can help relieve anxiety, depression and stress. Other research shows that exposure to nature also can contribute to your physical wellbeing by reducing blood pressure, heart rate and muscle tension.
I faithfully adhere to health care guidelines put forth to help prevent spread of COVID-19 — frequent hand washing, avoiding crowds, and so on. But I will continue to seek solace and hope and joy in the outdoors, such as in our state parks.
As of this writing earlier this week, the Georgia State Parks department said its parks are staying open. “With many Georgians
avoiding crowds and canceling travel plans, parks provide nearby places to enjoy nature and solitude,” said the department. (Updates: https:// gastateparks.org/Alerts)
If all of this changes, however, I may be left to connecting with nature only in my yard and the woods behind my home. But as long as they also have birds, blooms, butterflies and bees, I will be okay.
IN THE SKY: From David Dundee, Tellus Science Museum astronomer: The moon will be new on Monday night. Mercury is very low in the east just before sunrise. Venus is low in the west just after dark and sets about two hours later. Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are low in the east about three hours before dawn.