After watching the world respond to the virus, many fascinating facets of the human nature are exposed. This is not a virus that responds to the typical human tools of self defense such as shooting,bombing, killing, bullying, lynching, enslaving, discriminating. It exposes our most core ideas of humanity,responsibility and risk taking.
Many months in and we are still perplexed by how this virus operates. The only certain thing we know that we can do to protect and limit transmission to and by ourselves is wearing masks and social distancing. It forces us to make tough choices such as refusing to go for retail therapy, attending a birthday party, standing 6 feet apart. It exposes what each of us considers "essential".
Even though the virus is indiscriminate in who it infects,the elderly are much less likely to survive it. So, it really requires us to think outside of ourselves and of others. I'm young and might only have a cold if infected but because of me and my inability to be bored, I may be the cause someone loses a loved one.
This virus exposes the most vile and selfish aspects of humans. People think freedom of choice means to do as they please with no regard for others. This pandemic is a reminder of our inter connectedness and shared humanity. The choice of one affects not just one but many. The very individualistic person struggles with that idea and chooses to not wear a mask, or not pay heed to social distancing because it is inconvenient to them.
How we behave in relation to those who are more vulnerable than us is an important indicator of our morality, God consciousness and compassion. By showing no regard for those with underlying health conditions, the elderly; we reveal an important facet of who we are beneath the facade of righteousness, morality and goodness that we may portray to the world.
Everyone seems to be lying about how many people they really are meeting. It's the social norm to say ,"we are only meeting 2 friends " but in fact the 2 is actually 20. 6 feet distance becomes 6 inches. The virus also tests our honesty. Be honest in sharing how many people you are meeting so the other person can make an informed decision before agreeing to hang out with you. It's not fair that I'm being socially responsible only to suffer because of a dishonest social animal.
Being socially responsible and thinking of not just yourself is a function of the more evolved human mind. Assessing risk, modifying behavior based on our surroundings, cause/effect analysis are functions of the executive brain which are typically not developed in most.
In a strange way,this virus is very revealing of how truly selfish,vile, intelligent, moral and responsible we are.
My 8 year old stopped going biking while we waited for test results of a family member because he said, " I can't risk other kids getting sick". He is one of the only kids that wears a mask while biking with other kids. If an 8 year old can have that level of social responsibility, why can't grown adults?
Stay home, wear the darn mask, avoid gatherings of more than 5 people, k
eep 6 feet apart. Really, how hard is it? I'm sure less hard than burying a loved one even if it's not "your" loved one.
By: Hiba Tanvir
