Not Optimistic
The following reflects my argument and conclusions at this time, knowing that the internet is forever, I caveat that with additional information or changes, my view may change. I hope it does. I am not optimistic that the US is going to come out of this pandemic with much strength because of the division among the population that has been solidified by a lack of respect for expertise and because disinformation has made its way into mainstream beliefs. As an example of our inability to unify, I believe that if there was another 9/11-like attack we would have two widely different reactions from our divided populus. Culturally, there is a lack of respect for experts, which has lead to conspiracy theorists being your nextdoor neighbor rather than the guy deep in the woods with a doomsday surplus. Additionally, the various false premises that were initially spread by US adversaries over social media ( government citation , also DoD ) have become rooted as truth in many people's mi...