Moods are expressions of how people feel and countries, being collections of people, have moods, too. COVID-19 hangs ominously over us now but from the threat of an epidemic good can emerge.

We are all in the same dilemma, rich and poor. Rich people can not comfortably remain apart and aloof. The constant emphasis on division that has characterized the national mood since the election of President Trump is likely to wane.

Facts and data matter. Fox News and the Trump administration are notorious for claiming their own set of facts and creating a kind of separate reality. What people insist on in this time of crisis is factual data that is observable by all of us. The President is now less able to just throw out statements on Twitter and haphazardly on Fox News and walk away with the confidence that what he proclaims is accepted as factual.

Science is of the utmost importance. It has taken a beaten since the beginning of Trump administration. Important government posts go un-filled or staffed by those who lack credentials but support whatever the Trump party line is. There will be less patience with conservative pundits who proclaim science, especially in regard to climate change, irrelevant.

COVID-19 proves that government is the best hope for our national good. It is not a dirty word. Business and commerce may still be emphasized by President Trump and his incredibly loyal believers, but the necessity for government rises at a time of crisis. The government is all of us working through a system of laws and traditions and is the only instrument at our disposal for responding to the national emergency.

Unity or common purpose will best the purposeful division that has been in vogue. The angry old mood was bound to come to an end. How long can so many people stay angry? The gloomy spell that has seized us will lift because most citizens will see that the need to work together.

The political consequence will be that the 2020 election will be a setback for the Republicans. Moods emerge and wane and we are all subject to them. From this crisis a calmer mood will emerge that will allow us to work together again.