What Scares You the Most?

JOHN Halstead

Dec 10, 2020

What Scares You the Most?

By: John R. Halstead

The uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic and the eventual economic disaster it will leave is going to make keeping a home in a safe neighborhood over your head even more difficult. I spoke with some veterans that lived homeless after their tours. They were suffering from PTSD, depression, anxiety, medical bills, and they had been on the other side of the world for 4–12 years. Many joined the military because they did not have a secure home and when they returned, they had nobody to guide them. It was not their fault, but the world labeled them as bums, addicts, and the like. Hearing their stories of cold nights, thieves, and run-ins with the law sounded like things that would not happen in the United States. Even after the V.A. and other social workers found them help it took months for them to get treatment and assistance. They struggled with alcohol and substance use disorders that were not drugs of recreation for them. These were their pain killers for severed nervous systems, broken backs, mental illness, and while they killed the pain at first now, they are a new problem that threatens their finances, health, relationships, and families. These are the hero’s that fought on the front lines. These were the IED dodgers and the paramedics that saved countless young lives of young men and women that they will never see or hear from again. Now, with a worldwide pandemic and an economy that is floating on funny printed money and increased unemployment benefits that are going away, and an uncertain election I read that the coronavirus numbers are on the rise worldwide. Some countries may have to shut down again. The funny money is gone, and the politicians are playing games. After the election, help may come. How much though? What about the job losses and the wages that have fallen? I know these veterans because I worked a dangerous job in private security, and I went through the same mental problems. I have managed to keep my home but while recovering from depression I have left a spotty job record despite my 5 years in security, 10 years as a teacher, 5 years is sales, and a Master’s degree not to mention another two years of counseling classes. Yes, I am afraid of being homeless almost every day. Every day I think about how I am spending any money, even if it is just for basic groceries. Or for example, should I spend that money on a suit for a job interview. Now the check engine light is on in…