＜酔灯夜話＞正しく恐れよう <Drunken Night Story> Let's be afraid correctly

新型コロナウィルスが日本に蔓延して概ね半年が過ぎようとしている。その間毎日感染者数が報道されているが、どうも最近いたずらに不安を煽るだけのように思えてきた。新型コロナウィルスを盲目的に怖がるのでなく、正しく怖がる必要がある時期に来たのではないか。例えば「がん」以前は「がん」イコール「死」というイメージがあったが、最近は早期発見できれば高い確率で完治が可能となってきた。そのため定期的な健康診断を行う必要性が浸透し、ただしく怖がる素地はできてきたように思う。一方新型コロナもPCR検査を拡充し陽性者の速やかな隔離と日常の手洗いとマスクの徹底をすれば、正しく恐れながら経済活動との両立も可能ではないかと思う。

It has been almost half a year since the new coronavirus spread in Japan. During that time, the number of people infected is reported every day, but it seems that it has been just annoying for mischief these days. I think it's time to get scared of the new coronavirus, not blindly. For example, before cancer there was an image of “cancer” equal to “death”, but recently, if it can be detected early, there is a high probability that it can be completely cured. As a result, the need for regular health checkups has spread, and I feel like we have created a basis for fear. On the other hand, for the new Corona, if the PCR test is expanded to promptly isolate positive people, and perform daily hand washing and thorough masks, I think that it is possible to be compatible with economic activities while being afraid.