Coronavirus chainmails: Time to return them to the sender

Dubai - Many years ago I vowed to never forward these letters because I silently curse the person who sent it to me and I don't want someone to curse me when they receive it.

I am delighted the government in the UAE is cracking down on people dispensing fake data and cooked up 'facts' on the Covid-19 crisis. There is such a barrage of information that most of us are into overload and cannot absorb the figures any more.

They cascade into the mind without meaning, a million, two million, so many afflicted, so many saved, an endless litany that leaves one shuddering in confusion. Also, because the novelty is over and we are wrapping our heads over some very real close to home realities that are scaring the hell out of us. Survival, protecting our families, trying to make already stretched two ends meet, the fear of redundancy, what next...two words that contribute to insomnia and stress.

Into this state we do not need mind games and there is one category of messenger that should be placed on the 'if you do you will be fined' list. And that is the person who blithely sends you that chain mail telling you of a miracle occurring if you send it to 12 people and bad luck drenching you if you break the chain.

Many years ago I vowed to never forward these letters because I silently curse the person who sent it to me and I don't want someone to curse me when they receive it.

So this morning I received one with a religious overtone which is even more of burr. Perhaps the guard is down, we are mentally vulnerable, turning to find solace even in superstition, our OCD factor working overtime. I resisted the impulse to forward it but after a long time a nagging thought became residual. Should I just this one time? What with the Covid-19 virus we do need a miracle, any port in storm? Then the little voice I keep in my head and use as a compass said, don't be silly, stop teeing off 12 people, everyone has enough problems already they do not need you piling onto them.

Right. They don't. And we do not need these letters. If you are a recipient warn the sender. If it comes again report them. Enough nonsense in our lives already.