The Pandemic and the Missing Magic Words

by Dwayne Phillips

Angst and polarization during the pandemic could have been greatly reduced with the use of a few magic words.

Magic words: Please and Thank you.

Some of us were taught these magic words at a young age. Somehow, we forgot them through the years. Their absence increased the angst and polarization of the pandemic.

Consider:

Please, as in, “Please wear a mask. I have this condition that makes me likely to become ill or I have a child who would become ill if I carried a virus home or…”

Thank you, as in, “I realize your situation is different from mine. You are not likely to become ill or your family members are not likely to become ill. Thank you for wearing a mask and standing back from me.”

This seems much simpler and more effective than what we did. Perhaps next time we will use the magic words.