Pandemic = Transformation
What is a moment of reckoning?
It's when a circumstance forces us to change our ways of thinking and transforms our ways of life. These moments may affect a large part of humanity or just a few people. However the ability of the circumstance to bring about a transformation may not related to its size. If we are ready to transform, a relatively small moment could be enough. But if we are not ready to change, even a pandemic may not be enough.
Our moment of reckoning.
This COVID-19 pandemic is the dire event. It spans the entire globe and makes every other problem seem inconsequential. It serves as a warning to humans about what to expect if we don't change. COVID-19 has a asymptomatic carrier phase, long incubation period and a case fatality rate of around 2%, if it had a case fatality rate of Ebola (around 50%), it would be the end of humanity. It is not a question of If, it's a question of When. When is the next pandemic going to start? How many more will die? This should be our moment of reckoning. Let's spend this time at home, while social distancing, and introspect. Let's reflect on our thoughts, emotions and actions. Let's take extreme ownership of our lives. Let's be our own biggest critics and take personal responsibility for our impact on this planet.
Pandemic = Transformation
As human beings we have to unite. This is not an Asian or African problem. We blamed the Ebola on Guinea, Zika on Brazil and COVID-19 on China. We are all the same, it is our resources that are unequally divided. This pandemic shows us that the public health of One is the public health of All. We need to form a global coalition to improve basic healthcare and sanitation across the world.
As citizens of the world we have to unite. This is not a China or Italy problem, it's not a New York or Washington State problem. We are all equally at risk. Some parts of the country are not seeing the surge of cases so it's understandable to be frustrated with the economic and social impact of distancing. But as citizens, it is our duty to flatten the curve.
As healthcare providers we have to revaluate our health care systems. We cannot be driven by the bottom line. Greed has a large part to play in the delayed response to this pandemic. In our efforts to maximize profit, our healthcare systems do not have any room for extra supplies (personnel, ventilators, personal protection equipment, swabs, etc). We need to focus more time and resources on infection control than on money making elective procedures. We need to be more diligent about hand hygiene or isolation precautions.
It takes a village to raise a child. As parents, families and communities, we have to unite and teach ourselves and our children about social responsibility. The next generation will bear the brunt of our actions, it's our responsibility to prepare them. During this period of social distancing, we have unrestricted access to our children. Let's take this time to discuss with them about social responsibility.
If not now, when? If not us, who?
Everywhere I look, I find that most people have a softer demeanor, we are smiling and showing more empathy. We are thinking beyond ourselves and are more patient with each other. We more attentive toward our families and colleagues. We are more appreciative of our leaders and those in the front lines. We have less ego and are willing to adapt to the changes being adopted by our communities. People from all over are united by a common agenda, no matter our race, nationality, net worth, or education, we are all trying to do our bit to stop this pandemic.
Optimism
I feel hopeful that this pandemic will bring about a transformation. We will remain united after this pandemic is over. We will take extreme ownership of global justice and equality. We will be ready to overcome any eventuality, for the sake of humanity.
-Aneesh