It has caused thousands of deaths and overwhelmed hospitals with wartime-like surges, transforming them into triage wards. People now prepare for grocery store visits as if going into battle, wearing masks and gloves. In Europe, which has faced waves of terrorism with similar outcomes, the current pandemic brings haunting reminders. However, this virus instills a different kind of fear as it is invisible, widespread, and lacks a clear resolution. Unlike previous threats, this pandemic is caused by nature, not by human actions or ideological motivations. It has required a distinct response. People react to a terrorist attack by fleeing in fear, then coming together in solidarity. However, when the lockdown due to the new coronavirus is lifted, people will cautiously emerge into the open. Peter R Neumann, a professor at King's College London, noted that people are more scared of terrorism than everyday dangers like car accidents or falling in the bathtub because terrorism feels unpredictable and beyond their control. Neumann explained that while terrorism involves killing people, its main goal is to manipulate our thoughts and interests. The coronavirus is particularly terrifying because it is widespread and cannot be stopped by traditional methods like surveillance or persuasion. Unlike human or ideological enemies, the virus cannot be controlled or understood, making it a source of fear for many. The death toll of the virus has already surpassed that of the 9/11 attacks, and it is expected to continue to rise. Expert Thomas Hegghammer noted that people usually fear man-made threats more than natural disasters, but the virus is an exception to this rule. “It goes much deeper into society than terrorism, and it affects individuals on a much larger scale,” Julianne Smith, a former security adviser to former Vice President Joe Biden and now at the German Marshall Fund, remarked. She noted a similar sense of helplessness brought about by the unpredictability of when terrorism or the pandemic may strike, invading personal lives. Concerns about being in crowds, rallies, and sporting events plague individuals in both scenarios. Joshua A Geltzer, former senior director for counterterrorism on the National Security Council and now a professor of law at Georgetown, pointed out that part of what makes terrorism terrifying is its randomness, a trait also shared by the virus. "It has the potential to prompt individuals to consider, 'I could be a victim.' However, overcoming the virus necessitates a shift in mindset, according to Geltzer. He explained, "When you witness a bomb at the Boston Marathon, you may hesitate about attending next year; the impact is quite direct. But dealing with the virus requires a higher level of awareness - to think collectively, in order to prevent spreading the virus and overwhelming the healthcare system, not burdening others in the process." This situation calls for a unique form of solidarity. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, President George W Bush encouraged Americans to continue with their daily activities such as flying, traveling, and working. Similarly, after the Charlie Hebdo and Bataclan attacks in 2015, President François Hollande of France demonstrated solidarity by leading marches and public displays of resilience and defiance." However, with many societies ill-prepared for the virus, Geltzer and former Justice Department security official Carrie F. Cordero emphasized that resilience in the current situation means staying at home rather than traveling. This shift from urging calm during times of terrorism to now needing to instill fear in citizens to act for the greater good poses a challenge for governments. Unlike mobilization efforts during terrorist attacks, the current enemy requires people to remain stagnant. While security responses to terrorism often evoke patriotic and visceral reactions, the measures needed to combat the virus, such as staying at home or producing protective gear, lack the same excitement and appeal. Home schooling is not typically associated with patriotic chants like 'USA! USA!'. Governments will find it challenging to adapt their security structures to address threats that cannot be countered with increased military spending and more surveillance. In the past, analysts focusing on non-traditional threats such as health and climate were considered less important, but the current situation has changed that perception. There will likely be new departments dedicated to health security and virologists hired by intelligence agencies, leading to a shift in the concept of security. Furthermore, new threats such as economic collapse, widespread debt, and social unrest may emerge in the future. Many are concerned about the impact of the current low oil prices on Arab and Persian Gulf countries, particularly in relation to paying salaries for civil servants and the military, as well as managing subsidies for bread. However, even the Islamic State group has advised followers not to travel to areas experiencing epidemics. Hegghammer, who lived in Norway during the 2011 terrorist attacks by Anders Behring Breivik, notes that Norway responded with collective solidarity and a sense of communal work, known as "dugnad." This spirit of unity is being seen again during the current virus outbreak, with young people helping the elderly and government and opposition parties working closely together. The virus and the attacks by Breivik are being connected in debates in Norway. However, the criticism is being done in a critical manner, highlighting the government's lack of preparedness in the past and present to handle a major threat. People are questioning how the government could be so unprepared when they have already experienced similar situations. In the aftermath, there will likely be a commission of inquiry in both Norway and the United States to investigate government failures and plan for the future. Unlike Norway, the United States is deeply divided, and the slow-moving crisis of the virus is affecting different parts of the country at varying speeds. This lack of unity is exacerbated by existing political polarization and partisan battles over science and facts. The impact of the virus on society could be similar to the plague in Athens during the Peloponnesian War, leading to indifference towards religion and law and potentially empowering reckless politicians. In the end, she stated, the White House's delayed response undermines the current political leadership and societal practices. If the political repercussions are significant, it could result in the downfall of the imperial presidency and a resurgence of the federal and congressional activism intended by the Founding Fathers. While the virus may cause political divisions, it also serves as a reminder that free societies rely on norms of civic responsibility.