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Plague Habits of Mind
Description
GEORGE:
Now, When I say “habits of mind,” I mean the reflexes that become automatic:
how you interpret a cough
how you feel about crowds
what you do with your hands
what you believe when you’re afraid
what you do to feel safe
who you trust, and how quickly you withdraw trust
WILL:
An epidemic trains a person the way war trains a person—
not by speeches, but by repeated fear.
GEORGE:
Exactly. Repetition makes instinct.
GEORGE:
Will—give me the plague-trained mind in your world. What habits did people acquire?
WILL:
I will give you six, sir—six habits the plague taught my city.
Habit 1: Vigilance without rest
WILL:
The plague teaches you to scan.
To listen for coughs.
To watch faces.
To read the street like a warning.
GEORGE:
Hypervigilance.
WILL:
Yes. And it is exhausting.
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