There’s an old saying: There’s two types of people. Those who divide people into two groups, and those who don’t.

With today’s COVID-19 pandemic, that saying is more relevant then ever. This type of black and white thinking affects more then just race relations. American politics seem trapped in this type of thinking — yes or no, good or evil, with us or against us. Binary thinking makes political tribalism simple. It’s easier to divide people than unite them, but it has made reacting to the pandemic problematic.

You use a mask, or you don’t. You take it seriously, or it’s another hoax. You protect your own health, or insist on defending your right to infect others. You stay home cowering in fear, or you go out to bars, church and the mall (but not necessarily in that order.)

If we do “reopen,” the country and the infection numbers go back up, will people believe it and consent to another lockdown? Or if the virus does somehow “just go away” will people believe that and come out of hiding? Will anyone trust a vaccine that’s rushed to development and endorsed by the president?

It’s not surprising that people want to end the shutdown and get back to making money. The surprise was that they were willing to go along with the shutdown in the first place. The only thing we seem to agree on is that the other side must be out of their minds. But I digress.

So is there any hope for a happy ending? Isn’t there a middle ground someplace between closing down society and the rush to normalcy where the needs of both sides can be taken into account? Instead of having to decide between a Hobson’s choice, a Morton’s fork and a Buridan’s ass (look it up) we need to open our minds to the subtle possibilities and options that make up true reality.

If our actions are guided by the science instead of ignorance and fear, if we listen to one another and work together instead of retreating to our predefined opinions, if we respect one another’s needs and feelings instead of demonizing each other, then we can succeed.

In other words, we’re doomed.

Andy Morris-Friedman

Hadley