A Survival Memo in the Tide of Our Times: The Struggle Between Reason and Emotion

Standing in the tide of our times, individual feelings are often contradictory: on one hand, there’s rational judgment from knowledge; on the other, a profound sense of powerlessness in the face of the unknown. In this “version update” period full of variables, we need to organize our own survival logic, both to fight the virus and to protect our inner order.

The Rational Defense: Building a Shield of Cognition

Facing a constantly mutating opponent, establishing scientific understanding is the first step to eliminating fear. We must understand the concept of “Original Antigenic Sin”—the body’s immune system is like a nostalgic person, tending to call upon “immune memories” from the first infection when encountering new viruses, rather than generating entirely new responses to new variants. This means that while vaccines or initial infections can reduce the probability of severe illness, we must never underestimate the risk of reinfection—the antibodies our bodies produce for subsequent variants may be limited.

Based on this, our strategy should be clear and pragmatic:

• Be a Stubborn “Holdout”: In times when medical resources are strained, the ideal state is to avoid infection peaks as much as possible. Through strict mask-wearing (especially N95), avoiding “three Cs” environments, and ensuring indoor ventilation and sealed drains, we strive to defeat the virus through aerosol transmission pathways.

• Do the Economic Math: Prevention costs are like military spending, while treatment costs are like reparations. When it comes to health, proactive defense investments always pay better than reactive remedies.

• Face the Probabilities: Although the probability of serious long-term effects might only be 10%-20%, and most will recover, when that probability falls on an individual, it becomes 0% or 100%. This is a lottery we have no choice but to participate in—the fewer draws, the better.

Philosophical Self-Care: Reshaping Views on Life and Death Amid Powerlessness

However, when old concepts can’t fully protect us, knowledge sometimes only makes us more clearly aware of our own insignificance. Recalling the words “The Qin people had no time to mourn themselves, but later generations mourned them; later generations mourned them but did not learn from them, making later generations mourn the later generations as well,” I can’t help but sigh at humanity’s cyclical patterns before historical lessons.

At such moments, we need a new philosophical perspective to settle our anxiety. Why not try shifting our view of gain and loss: If we see birth as gaining everything, then every day we’re losing; If we see death as gaining everything, then every day we’re gaining.

This isn’t pessimism, but rather finding a psychological anchor amid uncertainty. Since survival isn’t something guaranteed or easily obtained, we should establish a new principle for living: experience life with happiness as the thread.

Reality Anchors: From “Version Updates” to Daily Life

The macro world is undergoing dramatic “version updates.” We’re like players in a massive online game (World Online), with the Chinese server moving from the newbie protection period into the BF.7 and BA.5.2 versions, while international servers have already previewed new versions like XBB. This pace of “updating every three months” reminds us to stay vigilant at all times.

But when we bring our gaze back home, the tangible reality of life often consists of the most specific details:

• Specific Lists: Small corn 2.5 yuan each, king oyster mushroom 1.5 yuan each, carrot 1.5 yuan each, green beans 5 yuan. These precise numbers are proof that life continues.

• Specific Care: Whether it’s mother’s fever, sister’s fever, or the elderly family members feeling unwell, we must pay close attention.

• Specific Actions: Keep exercising, don’t stay up late, eat properly. If you’re in the recovery period, remember to give your body a month to recover, avoiding intense exercise that could trigger myocarditis.

Conclusion: Actively Optimistic, Appropriately Anxious

Finally, we arrive at a simple conclusion: everything will pass—we just don’t know what will pass first.

In this process, the most suitable mindset might be “actively optimistic, appropriately anxious.” Appropriate anxiety keeps us respectful of risks and protective; active optimism supports us through difficulties. If we survive, naturally “nothing’s wrong.” Even when we sometimes feel our conviction shattered, after a good night’s sleep, we wake up and must continue living.

Protect yourself, take care of your family, cherish the present. Because the most important things are always those specific people and those specific days.

(2022-8-18~2023-7-13)(Updated 2025-11-26)