Ciao! We’re In Africa

Look to the Facts Before Acting

In a world of interconnectedness, we can undertake our own research like never before. Sadly, despite what I think about Donald Trump (!) I have to agree there is also ‘fake’ or sensationalist news which stands side by side with the truth. How can we be sure that what we are reading, or hearing, is valid and current? Well, we must do our own due diligence (research) and use a lot of common sense. I have two part-time jobs that complement each other well. With one of them, I encounter many of the public who, in some cases, have reacted almost violently to the coronavirus news. Statements such as, “a million people are infected”; or, “you won’t be seeing me for at least a few months, as I’m staying at home from now on”, are just two of the reactive assertions. Granted they were made by two elderly people and they are far more at risk; but, in times of high emotion, fear and access to information, please let’s all try and be sensible whilst still being cautious. Sometimes, it’s just a case of diffusing a situation with some calming words so we can investigate further.