You're reading it different than me. I don't think he's literally wishing for it to pass, or is it really "the bright side" that he is describing. He's just try

You're reading it different than me. I don't think he's literally wishing for it to pass, or is it really "the bright side" that he is describing. He's just trying to rationalize that the worst-case scenario is not the end of all freedom yet, and there will still be ways to fight/circumvent it. More like a small bright dot on a very dark background.