Are You Afraid To Go To Public Venues Post-Mass Tragedies?

Mass tragedies have been occurring across the country and world, from Orlando at Pulse Night Club to the Las Vegas strip, it seems like no place is really immune to evil. Certainly those attending any of these public venues probably couldn't have imagined that something tragic was going to happen. It makes a person pause and consider, are you afraid to go to public venues post-mass tragedies? Are you hyper-aware of your surroundings now?

Dr. Anthony Charuvastra, from Psychology Today shared several ways to manage anxiety related to mass shootings and feeling intense fear. He suggest finding the realistic perspective and reframing the fear can be helpful. Also, limiting exposure to the news coverage of the mass tragedy can help minimize the fear.

I checked in on Facebook and asked if they felt deterred from attending public venues, here's their responses:

Nope! You can't let fear win. If you die, at least you're going out having fun!! In all seriousness though... nothing will stop a determined creep from doing what they want to anyway. - Val
I won’t take my son to concerts for a long time , it’s not worth putting him at risk. - Leslie
I can admit that yesterday while at orientation for the Super Bowl with 10,000 other people it crossed my mind. One of my volunteer days will be at MOA and the fear of something horrible happening there or the actual Super Bowl is in the back of my mind. 5 years ago I wouldn't of thought twice about this. - Kris
Definitely doesn’t deter me from going to mass gatherings. I do however find myself being more self-aware in my surroundings once I’m there. I do make sure I know where exits, responders, and first aid is located. - Krystal
No, and I’d also add it doesn’t stop me from traveling to places that have had attacks. I went to Paris (and other large European cities) recently and felt perfectly safe. - Alison
I don’t think twice about going places. I try to stay aware of what’s going on around me. It was something instilled while in the service. Stay aware of your surroundings. That lesson was also repeated in my conceal carry class. - Chad
So I went and saw Thor 3 the other day. I sat basically middle middle. A man walked in with a backpack, and combat boots. While not uncommon where I live, it was a movie theater. He put his backpack on his lap, and sat front row of the middle farthest right seat, close to an exit. My heartbeat had actually sped up. I moved without him noticing to being behind him. I wanted a chance to do something if I absolutely had to.He then pulled out snacks he snuck in. The more logical assumption of course. I probably looked more creepy to everyone with what I was doing. So I don’t stop going to events/concerts, but I am certainly more aware. - Jason
I was just in Las Vegas to run a marathon on the Strip. The night before the marathon we were at an outdoor concert by the Goo Goo Dolls. Security was very tight everywhere. We had a great time...but I couldn't help but picture what the shooting scene must have been like last month. I also couldn't picture not being able to take part in events like that. We take a risk every time we get behind the wheel of a car or walk across a busy street...or go to a music venue. We can't stop living. - Tom
I don't feel like it deters me but I certainly feel it effects the ambiance and overall feeling of security in places where you are on the "lookout" for the next disaster. It's just a "sad" place in America right now with all these tragedies and no understanding or a feeling or resolution. - Beth
No, it doesn’t deter me. I feel that if I change my life and live in fear that the bad guy wins. - Denise

Categories: Lifestyle