Coronavirus is a challenge to humanity's morals and integrity
What say the herd?
Many believe the response to Coronavirus to be a huge overreaction. There are always two sides to any argument. The equation harshly comes down to: Livelihood vs a Life or a Life vs Livelihood.
Which do you value more? It’s an awful predicament to be in. For some, it’s a no-brainer – LIFE. For others, food on the table, security, welfare of my children etc.
I guess a lot of one’s viewpoint would be dictated by your own financial and, to some extent, political profile. The disease, unlike others, is selective and deadly only to a few and so that becomes a selfish “it won’t happen to me ” thought process.
“Our herd will have losses but we will survive” is an uncomfortable mantra that is getting louder as this Coronavirus pandemic continues.
Here in Africa, I think of the Great Migration, that time of year when the wild makes it’s move by the hundreds of thousands across to more fertile pastures. At one point of an already perilous journey, the herd stop and consider the deadly river crossing.
It seems, in this analogy, we are at that point. Staying on the bank means struggle and loss. Going forward means that many will perish but the general herd will survive.
And so the leader goes into the river, followed quickly by the thousands behind. The smooth flow of the river breaks into a white water thrash as the crocodiles move in to take their prey and others drown in the current.
This traumatic portrait of panic and death is marked with a victorious line of those who survived as they reach the other side of the river bank.
The herd get across with ‘acceptable’ losses. But that is nature in the raw, unfettered by a conscience or an established moral value for life. It is far more complex for us as a species to consider this option without guilt or moral indignation. And so it should be.
Is there a space in our psyche for the ‘one for all and all for one mentality’ as we face the Coronavirus pandemic?
Yes. We have seen that part of our nature in full force. The early images of the Italians on balconies and rooftops entertaining with their talents from music to aerobics is indicative of what we hope to believe is our true spirit.
Our clapping for the health services and appreciation of those on the Frontline against the Coronavirus is heartwarming. The teachers who took the time to travel neighborhoods where their students live, just to say hi as they drive by.
The people who volunteered at food banks and the individuals who acted selflessly in some way. The brave emergency workers, the critical and essential service staff, the good neighbors who shopped for the elderly…the list of our finest moments are limitless.
And we can celebrate our humanity in those acts of selflessness, generosity and kindness. However, time is the great test of will. As many endure the lock-down and unemployment, there are those who resent their freedoms taken and the personal cost to themselves and their families.
Our disregard for health guidelines and trying to act like it is the 'old-normal' is akin to declaring VE DAY in 1941
Are we running out of Grace?
There is no rope as long as time, so the song goes. How long before we, as humankind, all hang our morals and principles in the name of economics and freedom? The numbers in the resistance grow.
Filled with blind hope and careless rebellion perhaps, we move to the beaches, stores, cafe’s parks and public spaces, declaring that ignoring scientific advice is somehow a victory against an enemy that has not yet been vanquished.
Our disregard for health guidelines and trying to act like it is the ‘old-normal’ is akin to declaring VE DAY in 1941
We shout our independence and rage against the health precautions of social distancing and wearing of masks.
We assume our own immunity and feign ignorance or accept that there are those who may suffer as a result. And our chorus of discontent grows.
And yet, for those who remain intact and resolved, can we really judge? At what price would you place a vulnerable persons life? Where is your line? Is it above the welfare and security of yourself and your family?
It is an ugly truth that none of us would like to debate. So are we thinking like a herd? Or perhaps, are we beginning to think like the herd?
The Decision
This is the mind-numbing dichotomy we are now beginning to face as humanity. What is the greater good? What would be the right decision? We can placate ourselves with suggestions of keeping the vulnerable away from the threat. But the threat to us all – is all of us.
We do not have the tolerance, fiscally or emotionally to be in lock-down for months while a vaccine is discovered. And yet we may be exacerbating the problem with premature openings and inviting a second wave and an even harsher stream of precautionary measures.
We are at the banks of that proverbial river where we decide to cross or hold out for a miracle rain that will pour down and restore all that was.
Our herd leaders are dipping their feet in the water and then turning back. Then back to the water. Their messaging is mixed and confused.
Suddenly a few make a dash but many remain on the bank. We lack the consensus and therefore endanger ourselves even more with our doubts and hesitance. The synergy of the herd is lost. Chaos ensues. Our herd leaders have failed us.
The Power and Corruption of Grief
The cover-ups, the blame games, the power struggles and the political self preservation are obscene and destructive. But perhaps this is the manifestation of our global grief.
For many of us, we probably don’t fully comprehend the enormity of what we’re going through as citizens of the planet. But here it is
There is a psychological toll to Coronavirus we all are inflicted with. We mourn the loss of lives, of livelihoods and security. For many, the loss of congregation to unify in faith carries a massive impact. Our lack of connection with others increases the sense of loss. We grieve for the lifestyle as we always knew it to be.
This pandemic and the repercussions is a deep shock to us all. I suggest that we are wrestling with grief and are going through the stages of bereavement-
Denial and isolation – We scream hoax, media hype, political propaganda. We isolate with our tribe and like minded people
Anger– We protest and exhibit our intimidation with angry crowds and guns. We look to blame others
Bargaining – We seek for compromise and the ways to return to what once was
Depression – We feel it emotionally and economically
Acceptance – We will adjust and live differently
Loading ...So, here we are. At the waters edge, watching the forerunners make a dash through the unknown waters to get to the other side while the herd leaders look on confused.
We are at that moment in history where humanity faces one of its greatest challenges. The essential values of brotherly love, compassion, sacrifice and kindness are under threat against the need for economic survival.
Mankind has lived through wars and disease before. But this is very different. It is globally pervasive and the enemy is a virus, and perhaps, even more threatening are ourselves.
Can we find a compromise that feeds the fundamental values we call humanity and at the same time sustain our primordial urge for self-preservation?
A new dawn awaits. How it will look, this will be determined by us all.
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UPDATE: JUNE 11TH
Global lock-down all for nothing? This article is now becoming somewhat prophetic, given the latest facts. It seems we are going tacitly to the “herd immunity’ philosophy.
The world is re-opening, despite skyrocketing cases. This week, 7 million coronavirus cases worldwide and countries continued the order of the day: reopening to salvage their economies. Hmmm…
The Black Lives Matter movement was perhaps the culmination of our own focused lives put on hold, allowing (a needed) sensitivity in us all along with our own sense of community and emotional state created by the virus. A perfect storm of tragedy. Lest not one overshadow the other.
We cannot take our eyes off either of these balls – that of injustice and racism and that of a virus that kills the vulnerable. Given the fact that we speak of justice right now, the injustice of both the disease mortality, higher in the poor, and the poison of racism target the same groups.
I think we have already passed the levels of caution. People are tired of hearing about this. Good points, though. We have made our decision already. We are going ahead regardless.
I think the whole thing is tragic but overblown!