Author: TheConversation

By Christopher Beem, Managing Director of the McCourtney Institute of Democracy, Co-host of Democracy Works Podcast, Pennsylvania State University At its core, the United States Declaration of Independence argues that all human beings have “unalienable rights.” These include right to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” These rights apply to all human beings, and cannot be given away. What is more, the Declaration says that “to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men.” In other words, the primary objective of government is to afford citizens the opportunity to exercise these rights; the right to be left alone...

By Austin Sarat, Professor of Jurisprudence and Political Science, Amherst College The coronavirus outbreak is affecting broad swaths of American life, including all levels of government. On March 16 the U.S. Supreme Court took the unusual step of indefinitely postponing oral arguments scheduled for at least the next two weeks. The court held oral arguments in 2012, when Hurricane Sandy had closed the rest of official Washington. It often continues to do business when other government agencies shut down due to snowstorms. In this latest move, the court’s statement said the justices were taking this action “in keeping with...

By Everett Worthington, Emeritus Commonwealth Professor of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University Hope can erode when we perceive threats to our way of life, and these days, plenty are out there. As we age, we may struggle with a tragic loss or chronic disease. As we watch the news, we see our political system polarized, hopelessly locked in chaos. The coronavirus spreads wider daily; U.S. markets signaled a lack of hope with a Dow Jones free fall. Losing hope sometimes leads to suicide. When there is no hope – when people cannot picture a desired end to their struggles –...

By Rebecca S.B. Fischer, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, Texas A&M University COVID-19 is affecting life in nearly every corner of the globe. Public health officials are heavily relying on two community interventions to curb the pandemic spread: social distancing and restricted travel. Because these measures interrupt personal contact, they can be effective at preventing the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. But the guidelines and restrictions can be confusing, leave room for interpretation, and may even seem to contradict each other. Colleges and universities across the globe are shutting down, potentially forcing many thousands of students to fly...

By Mirae J. Fornander, Clinical Psychology PhD Student, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and Rebecca Dore, Senior Research Associate in Early Childhood, The Ohio State University Families everywhere are adjusting to social distancing measures like closed schools and child care centers, workplaces, and the evolving disruption of a normal routine. With this new way of life comes a great deal of anxiety, which was already among the most common mental health problem in kids before the COVID-19 pandemic. As parents grapple with questions regarding how to help their kids cope with an extraordinary situation, and what role technology can...