The last week of the 2020 Presidential Election season is upon us. Many have lost friends and loved ones because of the divisiveness of the last four years. I find myself fretting every morning as the final days loom and my conversation with every person I come across ends up about the election and what may or may not happen.

Despite the pandemic, there seems to be another mental and emotional struggle voter is experiencing. The political poison that is pushed through the airwaves on all mediums is causing undue stress and anxiety. My brain spins with every super spreader event that takes place throughout the country. The name-calling and conspiracy theories that burn the lines on my social media pages is overwhelming. I find old friends making astonishing comments and my only response is to delete the comment and remove that person from accessing my pages. How did we get here?

Last Sunday, "The Circus," airing on Showtime, had a segment of a radical right-wing army that told the journalist they are ready for another civil war. They believe conspiracy theories and believe if Mr. Trump does not win it is a rigged election. They insisted there is no way the American people could want someone else in the White House. They like his rhetoric and have been hoping for a right-wing patriarch in the highest position in the land since the end of the civil war. Knowing that someone must lose, and a large part of the population is going to react to the loss frightens me.

It's the anger that has been let loose on society since Mr. Trump moved into the White House. His bullying bravado and lack of empathy have given many an open door to treat their fellow humans like they don't matter. Like they have no say in what happens in the country. They must understand patriotism is not being a bully. They don't have a right to damage and hurt innocent men, women, and children that don't look or act like them.

If you carry anger and resentment from the political unrest, what happens when it concludes? Can you walk away and carry on with your life if the candidate you voted for does not win? Will you be a sore winner and want to brag and rub their loser nose in your win?

I have seen high anxiety football games that last three hours turn people into angry mobs. This has been going on for four years. Imagine the angry mob that takes to the streets after this election. Each side believes the other side is going to bring the country to its knees. Many have gone as far as purchased weapons to secure their homes and families.

I hate that I am sowing fear, however, it is real, and it is inevitable. I do not doubt that the pandemic is going to last through this year and next, but will it matter if we don't survive the outcome of this election? Many people made plans and took to the voting locations to cast their votes. Now I feel it is time for each of us to make a plan to be safe after November 3rd. We should be ready for curfews and protests in the streets across America. I would love for this to be just an unrealistic article that could not be possible, and I am experiencing undue fear, but be ready to shelter in place until the unrest ends?