You know the symptoms, headache, churning stomach and with it, fear and depression that you got it.
COVID?
Nah. According to a University of Nebraska professor, politics is making us sick. Kevin Smith pins it on, “The negative impact of political engagement on public health during the Trump administration.”
He argues in his just released paper, politics takes a significant toll on our health.
“From stress, loss of sleep, or suicidal thoughts to an inability to stop thinking about politics and making intemperate social media posts.”
Smith writes, politics saturates our culture, lives through social media and constant 24-hour cable news cycles and is a, “Largely unavoidable source of chronic stress that exacted significant health costs for large numbers of American adults between 2017 and 2020.”
And the good professor adds, “The 2020 election did little to alleviate those effects and quite likely exacerbated them.”
If you are of a certain age, you recognize this video from an old Anacin TV commercial. Tension builds, things in the brain tighten, start to short circuit and suddenly you’re screaming. Aren’t we all?
Taken in its entirety, 2020 was a dumpster fire for the ages. Between COVID, a presidential election, fatal shootings in Minneapolis, Kenosha and elsewhere…All sliced and diced by anyone unencumbered by the thought process on Social Media and cable news. Political polarization, not in great shape coming out of the Obama years, significantly worsened during Trump time as we as a nation essentially fell through the bottom of the barrel unable to agree on anything. 2022 is already shaping up as a year that will make General Sherman’s March to The Sea seem like a guided tour of the U-S Capitol.
Weeks into 2022, we are even more estranged because about 40 percent of the country has decided its facts are easier to accept than those held by the rest of us. Trouble is, that 40 percent seems to be winning the war on truth. Thanks again, Social Media and cable news.
Only one thing to do.
“You need Anacin for fast relief. The Big difference in Anacin makes a big difference In how you feel.”
OK, might need something a little more potent. That’s how we view things this week. I’m Craig Burdick. Thanks for watching SNN, THE Suncoast News Network.
