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Russian state media channels spread the news about secret Pentagon labs supposedly created in Ukraine
designated to use migratory birds, insects and rodents to spread deadly infections and viruses. Those of
us who had lived in the USSR during cold war know this tactic well: the rumored discovery about the West
usually means that this is happening in Russia, which is looking for a way to produce “proof”: in case of
biological weapons, allegedly unlashed by the opponent, which may be used as an excuse for retaliation.

Many Russian people unfortunately are fooled by Putin’s propaganda. If you talk to an average person, a
student or a retiree, you will be told “Russia has never attacked anyone”, “Russia has not concurred any
country”, “This is only to defend itself and fight Nazism”. Yet is fact Russia is doing the opposite, killing
peaceful citizens, women, children and attempting to occupy by force an independent country.

I am often asked why Russians don’t protest and why they are not out on the streets. Some do, but
anxiety, fear is paralyzing people who are afflicted with a particular form of passivity learned over
country’s history: the lesson of social repression accomplished by using a well-developed apparatus of
suppression. It acts swiftly and instantly, before anyone even notices. All Russians are familiar with this
scenario: in a blink of an eye, one is shoved in a windowless van heading to jail or who know where…

Many political questions arise… For a psychiatrist though it is much easier to talk about feelings.

Are we collectively responsible for crimes committed in our names? Should we feel guilty for something
that is done without our approval? Did we have any control? Anything we should have done and didn’t?
Could anyone has predicted this or did?

I left 30 years ago. I made my choice then and did not look back. I’ve never felt at home in Russia. But it
does not fit together, bugs me, keeps me awake at night. In the last few weeks, a lot of things stopped
making sense.
What would my grandfather who fought in World War two say about this? What would my father say who
fled war when he was a child? I wish I could ask…

Patriotic Russian songs about the war I grew up with now sound false, missing the beat. Even “War and
Peace” does not feel right as it glorifies Russian army.

It is personal. I will continue thinking about this and processing and coping. But the reality is: people are
mortal, and they are dying in Ukraine.

And we can do something to help, each one of us. Boycott Russian products, Russian businesses or
companies that continue to financially or otherwise support Russia-and therefor the war. Contribute to
Nova Ukraine (New Ukraine) a group of Bay area Ukrainians that created a powerhouse fundraising to
ease the lives of millions of Ukrainians who are suffering at this moment. Say no to war!
Нет Войне!

WELCOME NEW & REINSTATED NCPS MEMBERS

GENERAL & FELLOW MEMBERS
Kathryn H Brown, DO, MBA Ivan Mayor, MD
Nicole Brooks, M.D. Christina Diep, MD, MPH Trishna Narula, MD, MPH
Edwin Kim, M.D. David Dupee, MD, MBA Cecilia Nease, MD
Stacia E Mills, M.D. Kortni Ferguson, MD, MPH Cristine Hyun Oh, MD MS
Avital Fischer, MD, PhD Ethan A. Solomon, MD, PhD
David M James, MD, MS Amir Adam Tarsha, MD
Natalie Lomayesva, MD Lynn Yi, MD, PhD

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA PSYCHIATRIC SOCIETY Page 19 March/April 2022