KPT COVID-19 Pearl of the Day: Promote Unity of Effort.

Astonishingly, taking the necessary precautions to get COVID-19 under control has become politicized by some people who view things like physical distancing and face-coverings as statements about their political affiliation.  If you see people walking around without a face-covering, in most cases it probably will not help to call them out.  In my experience, most people cannot be shamed or educated into behaving responsibly by a stranger.  We should try to understand that some people do not view taking appropriate precautions as a good faith effort to do their part in protecting one another and speed up our ability to return to a fully functioning economy but rather as a signifier of political affiliation.  They may not realize that what they are doing is contributing to the terrible situation we find ourselves in currently.  On the other hand, demonstrating solidarity with and appreciation for those who are acting responsibly reinforces good behavior and creates a positive feeling of belonging among those of us who choose to follow the science and embrace a shared sense of responsibility to ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities.  A quick word of thanks, a nod, or a point and thumbs-up to someone wearing a face-covering will be received as positive reinforcement and demonstrate to others that you identify as someone who cares.  In order to get past this pandemic, we need near-universal adoption of basic measures such as physical distancing and the use of face-coverings.