Social responsibility in crisis.
(A personal observation and commentary on the corona virus pandemic of 2020.)
A brief disclaimer before we jump in: It is true this is a new circumstance for all of us. It is temporally transient by nature as humankind works to find a solution.
Everyone is dealing with the virus. I cannot begin to assuage the pain and suffering of those who have lost loved ones to this pandemic, or those on the front lines fighting and caring for so many sick people. I hope you can forgive my words as words whose intention is in this present moment, words of hope. We all know we are not alone in being affected by the pandemic.To what degree, some much more, others less or not at all. So far I personally have only lost a job of 12 years due to the virus's impact on my role and how it impacted public health and safety. I may be able to return to it, it may never return. These are truly times of uncertainty.
I go out now and I wear a mask. In the beginning of the crisis, I was more concerned about the socially irresponsible behavior of other people and not my own, but as I have settled into the new normal, I find myself taking socially responsible actions, not out of fear of death, not because I want to stay healthy (although I do) or an express desire for longevity.
The thought of me being the person responsible for the death or deaths of others is not a regret or guilt I want to live with. So, I wear a mask, wash my hands every time I go out, use hand sanitizer, and do my very best to respect the personal space of other people.
I have noticed a few things. People in public are not practicing socially responsible behavior. There are so many people who are not wearing a mask out in public. When I went to the grocery store the other day, there were at least 7 out of every 10 people without a face mask. In light of the human losses to this virus, I struggle as I consider the myriad reasons for what I am observing. I can't explain fully, I can only hope to keep a simple understanding.
By nature, people are selfish and self-centered in their thinking and actions. Sure, there are a million different reasons people will give for not wearing a face mask. The sociologists may explain a resistance to change, some will use this opportunity to stroke their ego and bravado, some misguided practitioners of personal faith claiming their God is bigger than the virus, (which in every theological argument is true.) are using their faith to ignore their responsibility to love their neighbor as themselves while revealing they have little notion what Jesus meant when He said it (or how much they are loved, take your pick.). Others are suffering from the sickness of rationalization and self justification.
What I can say with absolute certainty, generally speaking. People in our age of instant gratification do not have the patience or stamina to see this through to true equilibrium (vaccine, antidote etc...) without pushing back in an effort to regain their personal ease and comfort.
Until we are completely at peace with being uncomfortable, we will all push back at the things which inconvenience us. What this reveals is our unwillingness to suffer, whether that suffering was thrust upon us or we chose to shoulder the burden. Suffering postponed is suffering prolonged and increased.
Still, our desire for comfort blinds us to see the path to true rest and peace lies in passing through suffering, not avoiding it. Allow yourself to suffer through this now to begin healing now. Do what only you have to do for you to be at peace.
You will never be able to control circumstances, situations or people well enough to satisfy you. You can however, control your own actions.
So to honor the memory of those who have already lost their lives and to preserve the lives of those who yet may, please find the character to be responsible. Wear a face mask and respect the space, sensitivities, and choices of others who may not be willing for you to put their life at risk.
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