Fear Addiction

A lot of why so many people run in circles, scream, and shout in response to whatever the latest authoritative announcement is (vaccination is the only way out of having to wear masks; no they really will not help with the Delta variant; why are so many people refusing to get vaccinated?) Is that some people live their lives in enormous fear.  If they can get others just as afraid they can feel "normal" and at the same time, superior to the ignorant sorts who are not terrified.   

I was concerned about COVID-19, enough to get vaccinated, both because I am in a high risk group (self-interest) and to reduce the risk of exposing others to it (altruistic).  But I refused to be terrified to the point of unreason by a disease that even for someone like me, was only likely to be miserable and hospitalizing.  

Do not let fear rule your life! Fear of a low mortality disease, fear of traffic accident, fear of crime, fear of meteor strikes. Do sensible things to reduce risk.  Vaccinated.  Drive carefully and soberly.   Move out of high crime areas.  Live in concrete bunkers for meteors.  (Okay that is going a bit far relative to the risk.)