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Atticus

(15,124 posts)
Sat Mar 14, 2020, 02:20 PM Mar 2020

"This, too, shall pass." Unsolicited advice from someone older than dirt.

First, do NOT interpret this as minimizing the seriousness of the coronavirus. I am 71 and sincerely believe this is the greatest danger we have faced within my lifetime. BUT, for the overwhelming majority of us, it will have minimal impact on our health and money lost can be replaced.

During WWII, American cargo ships headed for Europe were often attacked and sunk by German U-boats and surviving crew members were often afloat for days in crowded lifeboats. With little or no food or water, merchant seamen had very little control over their fate: either a rescue ship would save them or---they would die.
And, many did die; some from injuries and some from thirst. Some drowned and some were eaten by sharks. Some of them---often the youngest and strongest---"just died".

Older men, you see, had already experienced tragedy in their lives. They had lost friends and loved ones. They had known the pain of injury and illness. They had, for various reasons, been in situations where they thought all was lost---and yet the sun rose the next morning, life went on around them and, eventually, so did they.
In the lifeboats, they did what little they could actually do---rationed supplies, treated the wounded and posted a lookout---and then slept as much as possible.

For the younger guys, this was their first brush with death; their first friends killed; the first time their fate seemed totally beyond their control. They scanned the horizon around the clock. They replayed in their minds the horrors they had just witnessed and---they worried and worried and worried. And, some, totally exhausted after days of despair, "just died" while the guys with the gray hair, extra pounds---and scars---were alive to be rescued days later.

Do everything that you can do to keep safe. Be smart. Understand that "all you can do" is all you can do. Once you've done that, read, binge-watch comedies, write letters---and get plenty of sleep.

Later.




29 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
"This, too, shall pass." Unsolicited advice from someone older than dirt. (Original Post) Atticus Mar 2020 OP
Thank you. I remember the polio (getting it) and Vietnam (being called up) scares...that ... SWBTATTReg Mar 2020 #1
And, it always could have been worse. Risk is part of living. marble falls Mar 2020 #2
I'm 71 and I'm the demographic... agingdem Mar 2020 #3
True dat. The orange thing in the People's House sends me more into a tizz. sprinkleeninow Mar 2020 #10
Yeah, seems like he's doing everything he can to actually INCITE panic n/t PatrickforO Mar 2020 #11
And don't forget everyone in grade school getting shots from the same needle. LiberalArkie Mar 2020 #15
They wiped them down with a cotton ball dipped in alcohol. I remember some of japple Mar 2020 #23
I was young, newly-married marybourg Mar 2020 #4
I am not scared. Polly Hennessey Mar 2020 #5
the virus itself does not scare me Skittles Mar 2020 #19
Lastly, remember to wash your hands. DinahMoeHum Mar 2020 #6
DON'T TOUCH MY FACE !!1! dweller Mar 2020 #8
Thank you. Good to be reminded of all that generations before us went through, and your emmaverybo Mar 2020 #7
Peace be to you and yours. sprinkleeninow Mar 2020 #9
+1 keithbvadu2 Mar 2020 #12
And good to remember Churchill's quote: PatrickforO Mar 2020 #13
Important to remember. volstork Mar 2020 #14
As far as pandemics go it is moving fast historically so yes it to will pass, the only question is, yaesu Mar 2020 #16
Whatever the damage left behind is, jrandom421 Mar 2020 #26
Well done, you Hekate Mar 2020 #17
Thanks so much for the lovely message...very true! Karadeniz Mar 2020 #18
Lincoln too used the phrase in a speech LTG Mar 2020 #20
This is the message I have been trying to get to my daughter. Rural_Progressive Mar 2020 #21
+1 This whole thread, comments included, will be forwarded to freaked-out frients & family flibbitygiblets Mar 2020 #27
I too am old, but can live without paper products if need be SmartVoter22 Mar 2020 #22
Where's the Sears and Roebuck catalog when you need it. LTG Mar 2020 #28
Well done Atticus! +1 sarchasm Mar 2020 #24
Yes, it will. Thanks for posting DeminPennswoods Mar 2020 #25
This story illustrates why Outward Bound was founded. . . DinahMoeHum Mar 2020 #29

SWBTATTReg

(22,129 posts)
1. Thank you. I remember the polio (getting it) and Vietnam (being called up) scares...that ...
Sat Mar 14, 2020, 02:27 PM
Mar 2020

was enough for me in my lifetime but apparently here we go for another round ... like you said, we will get through this, be safe and take care!

agingdem

(7,850 posts)
3. I'm 71 and I'm the demographic...
Sat Mar 14, 2020, 02:34 PM
Mar 2020

and for some reason I'm not scared..I've lived thru polio/Hong Kong flu/asian flu/avian flu/HIV pandemic/Reye's syndrome ...I live in a bordertown and every few years we have a tuberculous outbreak...and I'm still here...this time the panic isn't so much the virus as it is the orange anus occupying the White House...

LiberalArkie

(15,715 posts)
15. And don't forget everyone in grade school getting shots from the same needle.
Sat Mar 14, 2020, 04:00 PM
Mar 2020

Back before any one knew anything

japple

(9,826 posts)
23. They wiped them down with a cotton ball dipped in alcohol. I remember some of
Sat Mar 14, 2020, 04:46 PM
Mar 2020

those old non-disposable needles back in the day had little tiny barbs or what appeared to be rust on them. I used to get 6 allergy shots a week for several years in childhood and remember those needles very well.

marybourg

(12,631 posts)
4. I was young, newly-married
Sat Mar 14, 2020, 02:41 PM
Mar 2020

and much more frightened during the Cuban missile crisis, and even at the assassination of President Kennedy than I am now. At 78, I’m right in the cross-hairs of this pandemic, but I’m philosophical about it and going on with as much of my life as I can.

Polly Hennessey

(6,798 posts)
5. I am not scared.
Sat Mar 14, 2020, 02:42 PM
Mar 2020

This will pass and most of us will survive. I am worried about those with too much toilet paper. Perhaps they will share within a week or two. Who knew that toilet paper was America’s security blanket. I am 79 and have not and do not feel in the least bit worried. Just as I have done all my life, I meet each day with confidence, not fear. Being fearful of everything can be more detrimental to health than the universal fears the world throws our way every day.

Skittles

(153,160 posts)
19. the virus itself does not scare me
Sat Mar 14, 2020, 04:22 PM
Mar 2020

it's the lack of leadership during a health crisis that truly scares me

emmaverybo

(8,144 posts)
7. Thank you. Good to be reminded of all that generations before us went through, and your
Sat Mar 14, 2020, 02:45 PM
Mar 2020

example particularly apt.

sprinkleeninow

(20,249 posts)
9. Peace be to you and yours.
Sat Mar 14, 2020, 03:01 PM
Mar 2020

I have a rustic boards/cottage/shabby chic wall hanging right here in my dining area.

"Let whatever you do today be enough."

💜

PatrickforO

(14,574 posts)
13. And good to remember Churchill's quote:
Sat Mar 14, 2020, 03:46 PM
Mar 2020

When you're going through hell, KEEP GOING.

We will make it through this. Maybe not all of us but enough.

volstork

(5,401 posts)
14. Important to remember.
Sat Mar 14, 2020, 03:52 PM
Mar 2020

Thank you for the reminder. Humanity is resilient, and I’d like to think that those of us here on DU with more open minds than most out there have resilience in spades. We love, we care, we do our best to help. As long as we keep doing those things, we help each other and ourselves.

yaesu

(8,020 posts)
16. As far as pandemics go it is moving fast historically so yes it to will pass, the only question is,
Sat Mar 14, 2020, 04:09 PM
Mar 2020

just like with tRump as president, how much damage will be left behind.

jrandom421

(1,004 posts)
26. Whatever the damage left behind is,
Sat Mar 14, 2020, 04:59 PM
Mar 2020

as Americans, we'll get to work, clearing the debris, fixing what can be fixed, replacing what can be replaced, work to help our friends and neighbors, and get everything we can back up and running as well as we can.

"We're American, we don't walk around terrified"

Colin Powell September 12, 2001

"This too shall pass.... like that really bad burrito you had for lunch."

LTG

(216 posts)
20. Lincoln too used the phrase in a speech
Sat Mar 14, 2020, 04:27 PM
Mar 2020

Speaking before an agricultural gathering in Wisconsin in 1858 Lincoln told of an Eastern monarch who asked his wise men for a phrase that should be kept always on the walls before them. “This too shall pass” was the phrase chosen. It comes from an ancient Persian fable.

Perhaps oddly prophetic and meaningful just a brief time prior to his presiding as President over a nation tore apart in a bloody war that sought to tear apart the nation and tear the fabric of their society.

But, in time, that too passed away. As will our current challenges. God be with us all. As we all must be there for each other.

Rural_Progressive

(1,105 posts)
21. This is the message I have been trying to get to my daughter.
Sat Mar 14, 2020, 04:38 PM
Mar 2020

You articulated it better than I ever would have.

I've been talking her off the ledge multiple times over the past few weeks. She has been "they worried and worried and worried." Finally yesterday I told her nobody can be on watch 24 hours a day for an extended period of time without putting themselves at risk. I suggested she take some down time and I would take the watch for a few days. Today has been much quieter. I just copied what you wrote and told her I got it from an old friend with kids about her age. Hope you won't mind my taking the liberty but it seemed the best way to get her to take it seriously.

Thanks from a very tired father with a freaked out adult daughter, you have done a very good deed today.

flibbitygiblets

(7,220 posts)
27. +1 This whole thread, comments included, will be forwarded to freaked-out frients & family
Sat Mar 14, 2020, 05:24 PM
Mar 2020

The messages and spirit here are uplifting and reassuring, but not sugar-coated. Something this country is starving for right now.

SmartVoter22

(639 posts)
22. I too am old, but can live without paper products if need be
Sat Mar 14, 2020, 04:43 PM
Mar 2020

Probably like you, I had cloth diapers as a baby.
I know how they were used, cleaned and sterilized at home.

If I have no paper, I will be able to wipe my own bottom, unlike some younger folks who may not know how to even start going about self-sufficient personal care.

Any bets on 'diaper rash' as Instagram trend?

LTG

(216 posts)
28. Where's the Sears and Roebuck catalog when you need it.
Sat Mar 14, 2020, 05:39 PM
Mar 2020

Makes you lament the passing of paper catalogs in the mail. Hard to wipe your arse with a web page. 😉

DeminPennswoods

(15,286 posts)
25. Yes, it will. Thanks for posting
Sat Mar 14, 2020, 04:59 PM
Mar 2020

Growing up, I heard stories of the local tuberculosis sanitarium from where few ever returned. Kids were crippled from polio. I remember seeing stories of people needing "iron lungs" to survive in severe cases. Mumps, measels, chickenpox were well known to my generational cohorts.

DinahMoeHum

(21,789 posts)
29. This story illustrates why Outward Bound was founded. . .
Sun Mar 15, 2020, 05:00 PM
Mar 2020

. . .in the UK in 1941 by Kurt Hahn and Lawrence Holt - to improve the survival chances of young seamen after their ships were sunk during the Battle of the Atlantic.

https://www.outwardbound.org.uk/our-history



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