When is honesty appropriate? Are we all entitled to share our opinions all the time? Has the world become too politically correct or, has freedom of speech become a barricade for hate and abuse.

From American teachers refusing to use transgender pronouns, to anti-vaxers sharing their anecdotes and coincidences as proof of causality, freedom of speech has been weaponised to allow individuals to cite their truth as fact, using only anecdotes and beliefs to support their argument.

Is our right to honesty becoming a ‘hall pass’ to claim fact as fiction and damning all those who disagree? Should this massive right come with certain instructions in a ‘how to’ guidebook to prevent misuse and ensure responsibility?

As we strive to weather the current storm, I would ask people to consider their words, thoughts and actions, and come out the other side of this virus more open to listen and research before planting a flag on the side of an argument or debate.

It seems that we have formed two very defined camps which emerge in all prominent debates in this era; those who say what they feel, regardless of background knowledge and possible after effects, and, those who feel that their opinions matter while also respecting facts, science and other people’s wellbeing.

I believe in the right to open debate; as long as it is a true debate. Beliefs and personal approach to an argument or debate are an individual right, but the refusal to listen to others beliefs with the same respect and weight you give your own, creates a biased ‘us vs them’ mentality. To be balanced, both sides must enter the conversation open to the possibility of receiving new information and switching sides. You can be sure of yourself, your facts and your stance, but there must be a part of you that is actually open to listening to the opposition and attempting to understand where this opinion may have risen from.

You do not have to agree, simply listen.

It seems like most of our conversations have become similar to a child covering their ears and singing tonelessly to drone out the facts that they don’t want to hear.

Those who believe that the current virus is minor and that the safety measures are infringing on their rights, are a physical example of this. Individuals are putting their beliefs and ‘science’ into the world as fact, leading others to believe their arguments, leave their homes, and continue the spread of this virus. If we as a group cannot learn to listen to one another, examine evidence for ourselves and judge the reliability of who we are listening to, freedom of speech becomes an incredibly dangerous thing. Emotions are high and people are scared but we have to try to find a way to disagree without letting these emotions overpower our arguments.

Will what you want to say help someone? Is it constructive? Is it actually something they can and should work on? Can they learn from the painful truth you may inflict, or will it just become another surface wound for them to point at and spend all their time repairing only to strengthen their resolve to stand their ground.

There is an appropriate time and place for every truth, you can’t use honesty as an excuse to lash out. However, if in the heat of the moment you say something badly, that you truly believe and stand by, do not apologise for it. Apologise for the manner in which you said it but explain (without excusing) why you felt so strongly and reacted so intensely.

We are born with inherent rights, but we must live our lives constantly proving we understand the value and danger that they possess, considering the magnitude of effects we could have and whether the cost is actually worth the reward.

You have the right to share and express your personal opinion, but you should educate yourself and consider how this opinion may impact those around you. Research the research! It sounds bizarre but people are currently citing studies that support their claims using only the parts that do, sometimes entirely ignoring the true conclusion of the study or checking for errors within the research. Check the credentials of the people whose science and facts you use to support your beliefs and whether they have an agenda or political standpoint that is impacting their work.

Will what you are saying help? You have the right to stand for a cause, but to do so, you must educate yourself, empathise and act. You cannot simply take the surface information and claim a stance and a label, because it diminishes the integrity of the entire movement which may be working very hard to create real change.

You have the right to your emotions and to express them, but you are entirely responsible for them. No one else can make them go away and therefore you must decide yourself how you react to them. You have the right to tell those around you when they’ve hurt you, but pick your battles. Tell the people who you would really like to remain in your life, not a stranger online. Tell someone who will care and respect your wellbeing.

Shouting loudly will not force people to listen. Some battles simply aren’t worth the time. There are places and people that if you choose to stand against, you must accept that it will probably feel like a losing battle the entire way through. You must accept that they may just humour you, hear what you have to say and then let it pass. There are places where your efforts may be of more value, arguing will only get you so far. Don’t spend all your time in isolation shouting your truth into the internet and forget what that honesty was trying to achieve.