Tom Bateman of Rockport is professor emeritus at the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce.

It’s vaccine season, and an excellent opportunity to prevent or reduce the impact of viruses such
as COVID-19, influenza and measles. Distressingly, however, chaos prevails at the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.

We like to feel free and in control by making our own choices. When uncertain about what to do,
we can regain control and confidence by acquiring knowledge and valid advice from trusted and
trustworthy sources. Unfortunately, uncertainties and bad (as well as good) advice are standard
fare in the modern world. Moreover, simply feeling certain and in control can be outright wrong.

Currently, the public and their doctors feel uncertain and confused due to unclear and conflicting health policies and advice. You are not alone if you worry about not receiving essential vaccines, what might and will lie ahead and what you need to do and not do.

Making good choices could be even more difficult than during the COVID-19 pandemic because
our public health circumstances have worsened dramatically. Outrage is growing over Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s lies and ignorance seen in a recent Senate hearing, firings of top medical and public health experts and stupefying policies.

You can start tackling anger, fear and indecision by recognizing that we often have more power
than we realize. Whatever choices you make — whatever recommendations you follow and
ignore — strategically managing your mindsets and behaviors can help you prepare and cope
successfully.

Some people, by making good nonpharmaceutical choices, even emerged from the COVID-19
pandemic stronger than before. For example, positive engagement with others led to greater
perceived well-being and higher hopes for the future.

Furthermore, individuals who leveraged their personal and professional strengths exhibited post-traumatic growth, characterized by stronger relationships, increased belief in new possibilities, heightened spirituality and a deeper appreciation for life.

The following recommendations stem from many empirical studies published after the COVID-
19 pandemic.

Know this: Masks reduced COVID-19 infections and vaccines reduced deaths. Understand shifting realities. Infectious diseases and vaccines evolve, sometimes rapidly, so the best advice can change over time. Stay informed by attending to credible, accurate and closely
reported news. Learn from knowledgeable sources to distinguish fact from fiction. The best
available information can give you some sense of control over what might happen next.

Think ahead. We severely underuse our abilities to think ahead and envision likely and
alternative futures. Imagine and choose the worst scenario that could prompt you to take
precautions, plus the best possible scenarios worth striving hard to realize.

Set meaningful goals, such as maintaining good health, caring for loved ones or pursuing other
personal or professional aspirations. Doing so can keep you motivated and focused during a public health crisis.

Decide how you can best help other people as well as yourself. Keeping precious goals in mind and following daily and weekly plans can give you a sense of control and support your psychological and physical well-being.

Self-regulate. Pay attention to your goals and what you’re thinking and feeling — perhaps hope
and optimism but also stress and burnout. Ask yourself and others how you’re performing in your most important roles and make adjustments to stay on track. Don’t neglect your well-being, even if the virus hasn’t struck you.

Seek and deploy helpful resources. Anything that can help is a potential resource. In addition to
proper medical care, helpful resources during COVID-19 included self-regulation, social
support, religion or spirituality, having a sense of purpose or meaning in work or life, feeling
some degree of control a proactive and action-oriented mindset, and personal and professional
strengths.

Leverage your strengths. An impressive study of health professionals in Wuhan, China, revealed
positive effects on nurses and doctors when they effectively used their personal and professional
strengths — their special talents and expertise. By leveraging their strongest skills, staff
performed better in their work and bolstered their well-being through resilience and thriving.
Specific well-being benefits included greater learning, energy, growth and effective coping with
surprises and setbacks.

Stay flexible. Be open to revising your strategies and initial assumptions based on the latest
information. Revisit the advice above and follow what seems best for you. Your personal choices
and flexibility are your best tools to avoid a virus, survive if infected, and even perhaps even
grow stronger.