By Michael Makri
Initially the World Health Organization (WHO) had refrained from declaring the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) a pandemic. It is clear that we are not supposed to panic but to take carea and to think. True, Covid-19 is a significant health threat that needs serious attention by everyone, but not to the point where people behave as if it is the end of the world. While it is not wise to dismiss its seriousness it is equally dangerous to be overcome by fear and panic so that everyone wears face masks even if they are not needed. With time and progress in research, more things are now known about Covid-19. Today the virus causing it is identifiable and can be fought by science. Meanwhile the best way to protect ourselves is to practice better hygiene and sanitation, to wash hands frequently and to adopt social distancing. It is also important to have an ethical sense of social responsibility, to be conscious of the coughing etiquette and to refrain from going to crowded places when one is sick. People are also asked to have a sense of discipline to undergo self-quarantine when they know they have probably been exposed to Covid-19 infection through foreign travel.
It is reasonable to be afraid of this disease but we should not abandon our sense of reasoning. While we may want to protect ourselves and run to the hospital when we have a cold and demand medical testing and attention, that could unnecessarily be taxing the capacity and resources of our hospitals and healthcare centers. Science tells us that if we are healthy, and practice good hygiene, the chances of us getting Covid-19 are poor. But even if we do contact the virus it may not be as fatal as when it infects an elderly person, or those with diabetes or cancer. It appears that the disease is more fatal for older people, with the mortality rate around 15 percent for people with ages from 80 years and older, 8 percent for those from 70 to 79 years and 3.6 percent for those from 60 to 69 years. The rates are much lower for those below 60, with 1.3 percent for those from 50 to 59 years and 0.4 percent for those from 40 to 49 years. The mortality rate is 0.2 percent for people from 10 to 39 years. In fact, the mortality rate for people younger than 10 years old is zero. Thus, it is mandatory on us to give way to those most vulnerable.
Fear is natural in the face of threats. But it is fear that drives the panic and causes people to become irrational and selfish. The need for self-preservation is too overpowering to overcome. That when juxtaposed with fear and panic can lead to even more fatal consequences. Already, the world has seen large areas being placed under quarantine; and because of this, people are losing jobs. Economies are swaying on the brink. Lives are disrupted. But unless we are ready to put our lives under suspended animation, then the better alternative to fear and panic is adequate reasoning. And certainly, from my point of view, the proposal to place the entire country under lockdown may do more harm than good, as it can unnecessarily harm the economy as it had done already in these past days. By this I am not saying that we have to diminish and dismiss the seriousness of the threat by peddling fakery. But we also cannot respond to the threat by provoking fear and panic.
It is indeed a portrayal of irrationality that people are panic-buying food-stuff and stocking them for days. This is not so much about protection from the disease, but the fear that Covid-19 will prevent people’s mobility and confine them to their homes. And worse still when people who look Chinese are discriminated against, attacked and rejected, it is about ignorance being fueled by fear, and not about protection from the virus itself. Fear is a powerful feeling and panic is a natural reaction. Both of these are based on the death or silencing of one’s reason or rationality. And at the rate we are going, panic and fear, in addition to ignorance, and the destructive forces unleashing on the economy, are the ones that may just kill the most vulnerable and marginalized, and not the virus itself.
Self-defense through ‘self-cleansing’ has to be the order of the day! Any disease, especially one as encompassing as Covid-19 will bring about thoughts of mortality, even though strictly speaking the death toll compared to the widespread infection is not overwhelming as shown by global reports. That said, to reflect on one’s mortality is actually a healthy thought at any time. It should be a regular affair. We gain perspective about our life – its purpose, its trajectory, its validity. Modernity with its frenzied pace makes us automatons that don’t introspect. Hence we become selfish, narrow-minded and ignorant. Life ends in death for all, a natural cycle that happens everyday, though we seem to miss it or think it does not include us. This is the opportunity to accept the reality of death if only in theory. It illuminates the mind and repurposes the life that one is supposed to live.
Aside from self-defense and ‘self-cleansing’ in the matter of Covid-19, we should, in whatever capacity, think of those around us and help them take self-defense measures along with us. This is a call to avoid crowds, mass travel, keep social distance which is to refrain from being too near, touching and being exposed to probable infection sites. Washing hands with soap and water every time we touch something new, particularly in public places should be the norm. We are cautioned not to touch our faces, specially our eyes, nose and mouth. Everyone should know and do these simple steps outlined by medical experts. We have to think beyond SELF if we have to preserve ourselves.
Now more than ever we should resist panic buying and amassing anything from necessities such as food, medicine to toiletries like soap and toilet paper. Let’s buy only what we need and not start hoarding beyond our needs. The last thing we should do is to get carried away by alarmist statements and fake information over social media regarding what is going on about the virus. There is a bit too much information and discussion on social media from unauthorized persons who do not have the credentials but propagate false or irrelevant information. We have to learn to disregard such information for our own peace of mind.
Above all, let’s use this time of pause and reassessment to connect with others despite the social distance by thinking of their welfare, be they family members, household staff, neighbors, colleagues or friends. This is the time to use email, telephones and mobile phones. We may not have physical contact, but caring contact is welcome and healing. Perhaps the concept of sharing must be put on its head at a time like this. Sharing is not just giving away our material leftovers but what is also valuable to us like money, medical services and drugs and useful advice when someone needs it, especially during these unfortunate times. As citizens, we ought to support and obey all government initiatives to alleviate the situation; from obeying health instructions to cooperating on the idea of local tourism directives, to postponing events that bring on crowds. These will entail sacrifices but they are necessary to overcome this pandemic.
People, especially children, who are quarantined, should be entertained with useful activities like reading, games, listening to music, doing work with their hands like drawing, using play dough or listening to adults tell their stories. It is time for parents and adults to interact closely with younger persons in their circle. This express attention may make us better persons, more caring, more patient, and more loving. It is very necessary to keep calm and live quiet lives of self-defense, sharing and reflecting, for this is a time of crisis as we observe the negative effects on our economy, our daily routine and our confidence in the future. Covid-19’s time will come. It will end sooner or later, as most viruses have in the past. Let us keep faith in ourselves and in God till then. This time is gifted to us for quite reflection and connection with the Divine; let’s not miss it.