Actively challenge your own political alignment by identifying a view that runs counter to your usual spectrum, and reflect on past instances where you changed your mind on a political issue to understand your own evolution and biases.
Regularly review and acknowledge your own analytical errors or predictions that proved wrong, as this practice promotes humility, learning, and better judgment, even if it feels uncomfortable.
When engaging in public or personal debates, avoid disqualifying those you disagree with or accusing them of being bad people, and instead assume good intent to foster more constructive conversations.
Limit the number of issues you deem existential threats to the future, allowing for compromise and disagreement on other important topics, which is crucial for a functioning democracy.
When making public health decisions, aim to solve for total public health rather than focusing solely on COVID, ensuring that the significant costs of isolation and disruption are also considered.
Question the societal trade-off of potentially damaging children (e.g., through school closures) to protect unvaccinated adults, and consider if this prioritization is the right decision.
Direct COVID protection efforts primarily towards highly vulnerable individuals (elderly, immunocompromised) and the unvaccinated, as the virus presents a much lower risk to most vaccinated people.
Make vaccination as convenient as possible by offering flexible scheduling and accessible locations, and ensure medical professionals are available to answer questions, as many people are not hard ’no’ on vaccines.
Identify and support vaccine messengers who have high credibility with skeptical groups, such as individuals who were previously skeptical, those who have lost relatives to COVID, or influential public figures.
If you have access to rapid tests, take one before visiting elderly or immunocompromised individuals, especially those in assisted living facilities, to reduce their risk of exposure.
For vaccinated individuals, particularly those who are boosted, adjust your personal risk perception of COVID to be in the same ballpark as the flu, rather than an existential threat.
Do not feel obligated to organize your life around protecting the health of unvaccinated individuals, as they are often not taking steps to protect you or your vulnerable family members.
It is fair to feel frustrated with unvaccinated individuals because they are more likely to contract and transmit COVID, thereby increasing risk for vulnerable people in the community.
If you have unvaccinated people in your personal life, consider engaging them in conversation about the vaccine and encouraging them to speak with their doctor, as you might save their life.
Actively seek and support the return to normal forms of human interaction in schools, workplaces, and social settings, as isolation and disruption have led to increased frustration and antisocial behavior.
Look to history as a source of optimism, recognizing that the country has overcome enormous problems in the past, which can provide perspective and hope for current challenges.
Remember that the overwhelming majority of people are fundamentally decent and enjoy social interaction, which can help foster positive relationships and reduce hostility.