Fear and Loathing on the Hiking Trail

Back in early September, I went hiking in the early morning at a nearby state park. There were no other cars at the trailhead when I started out. Just before I returned to the car an hour and half later, I encountered two young women hiking up the trail towards me. They freaked out a little and scurried over to the side of the trail. One of them quickly put on a mask, and the other pulled her shirt up over her face. They apologized as I walk by.

This is what the all-pervasive narrative about fear of the unknown has done to us. Even in a safe situation, miles from civilization, in the outdoors, people are so consumed by fear that they engage in irrational, mindless behavior.

Other examples I’ve seen in the last few days:

• People wearing masks while driving alone in their own cars

• People wearing masks while walking down streets in town far from any other person

• A man so panicked by my entering the post office just ahead of him that he refused to come inside at first, even though we were both wearing masks. I had to plead with him to enter and not stand outside in the cold.