Our world has transformed in the last few weeks. For me personally, I have gone from being nonchalant to hyperventilating at times. It started with, “Ugh! Another virus; not relevant to me” after all, I had better things to do – I was busy soaking up the fashion weeks in Milan and Paris and worrying about the Fall 2020 trends in fashion. Then COVID-19 started expanding to other parts of the world, and I thought, “Jeez! I never even take flu shots; it’s for the old and immune-compromised to worry about”. Gradually the horrific news started pouring out of Italy, followed by the 1st case in the bay area…
I have to admit, I did my part in hoarding food, medicine, and cleaning supplies. Then came obsessive cleaning of surfaces and hands, consequently driving my family nuts over it. The closure of schools and offices led to everyone claiming their personal space at home and getting used to the new normal. Shock, disbelief, realization, acceptance, and hopefully some humility, perhaps.
For sure, this microscopic cell has reminded us all of the sheer force and self-correcting nature of mother earth. A reminder that all humans are eventually equal. This virus does not care for borders, walls, skin color, social class, or economic status. It truly has made me rethink the depths of human vulnerability…
As a society, we were getting too comfortable exploiting mother earth, living indulgent, bashful, luxurious, and at times arrogant lives. We explored the outer realms of the universe but fell short when it came to an understanding of the minutest particles on planet earth. And it hit us hard on our face, crippling governments, and leaving people squabbling for toilet paper, and now apparently hoarding guns! An example of human nature at its worst.
One trip to the hospital ( and trust me I had mine this past week… ) reveals how our hospitals are just not well-equipped to handle the wave of people that will eventually need some medical intervention.
The term “Social distancing” seems to have become somewhat of an à la mode. Numerous articles have been written, and the right approach dissected and debated by epidemiologists, psychologists, physicians, statisticians alike. All working together, trying to suppress the exponentially growing curve. ( Because, heck we can’t just adopt the draconian Chinese style lockdown – turns out, however, that it works!). Being exiled to your own home for weeks together can be challenging enough even for introverts; leave alone the outgoing and FOMO types.
The reality is that this is an incomprehensible health care crisis… and our healthcare system is overwhelmed by the sheer number of people in contrast to a shortage of supplies and medical personnel. “Social distancing” until at least our healthcare system gets a grasp on the situation is a no brainer in this case. The hospitals need time and resources, the researchers need to test and narrow down possible treatments as the drug companies race towards a vaccine. Till then, I guess the prudent thing to do would be slow the spread. Humanity has technologically progressed at an exponential pace, but this microscopic cell has shifted my perspective on the same.
However, it’s futile if only some adhere to the quarantine. This indeed requires that we are in this approach together. Moving from I to *us*, forcing us to think about the community at large.
Finally, Perhaps this is a time to introspect and self-correct. Spend time with our family, thoughts, and feelings. Rethink and respect the force of mother nature. Find a purpose in one’s life, lead with a cause, feel involved, and have HOPE! Importantly, be thankful to be able to sit at home and enjoy three meals a day while there are millions out there who cannot afford this privilege or are on the front lines fighting against this pandemic…. So what are we complaining about?
We are all in this together.
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