It Is What It Is

This book is a commentary on the author's experience surrounding the COVID-19 crisis. It is neither a scientific nor an academic book. It explores human and social behavior around conspiracies and myths that rapidly emerged throughout the crisis. Through an examination of facts and factoids, information and misinformation, and truths and falsehoods emerging from a variety of actors, readers are taken on an exploratory cognitive journey in an attempt to explain why we behave the way we do. The author, Mak (Chanchal) Khan, relies on a combination of his personal experience and views, as well as opinions expressed by a number of experts in psychology, sociology, economics, politics, and more. From mums and dads to students and educators to restless travelers on long airport layovers, this book may pique the interest of anyone interested in expanding their understanding of how and why competing narratives on the pandemic begin and gain traction. Given the quickly and ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, this book attempts to shed light on a difficult and dynamic subject matter. Although it may be the case that some of the analyses are less relevant depending on the date any given reader goes through this material, the historical perspective and lessons learned will remain relevant indefinitely. It is what it Is!