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PORTLAND, OR — Local software designer Lucas Whittaker experienced a rapid series of emotional shifts Tuesday evening after reading a news article about a man who died from COVID-19, according to those familiar with the incident.
Whittaker, 29, reportedly began by expressing deep sympathy for the unnamed victim. “It’s just heartbreaking to see this pandemic still claiming lives,” he was overheard telling a roommate, while looking somberly at his phone.
However, moments later, Whittaker’s demeanor reportedly changed after learning that the deceased man had not been vaccinated. “Well, that’s unfortunate, but, I mean, that was his choice,” Whittaker said, visibly brightening. Sources say he briefly nodded in apparent approval.
The situation quickly reversed a final time when Whittaker read that the victim was an undocumented immigrant. “Oh… that’s… complicated,” Whittaker muttered, his facial expression reportedly returning to concern. “We really have to fix this broken system.”
Experts say such rapid-fire emotional recalibration is not uncommon among politically engaged individuals. “With so many intersecting issues in today’s headlines, it’s not unusual for people to process several conflicting emotions within seconds,” said Dr. Elaine Harper, a psychologist specializing in media responses. “It’s a phenomenon we call ‘narrative whiplash.’”
Roommate Jenna Foster described the scene as “a kind of emotional ping-pong.” “He just kept scrolling, and his face kept changing—sad, relieved, sad again. Then he ordered Thai food and went back to watching a documentary.”
At press time, Whittaker was reportedly unsure how to feel about the next story in his feed, involving a small business owner, a rescue dog, and a zoning dispute.
