Lately, we have been receiving tons of information about COVID-19, i.e. coronavirus. However, this is not the first episode that has generated collective hysteria throughout history. Some of these happened in multiple factors, for example, the crisis in Greece, the avian flu, the Mers and the bursting of the dotcom bubble, among others.
It is very difficult not to be afraid of the situation we are living in and the amount of information (often sensationalist) we daily receive. It can provoke uncertainty and panic in our society. However, we have gone through worse times, and as lonely as we may feel, we are all in the same boat.
Let’s be honest, we can’t face this situation by ourselves. However, if there is something that characterizes us as human beings, it is the sense of concern for others and the fear of having to face this crisis alone. This especially applies to young people whose age and conditions place them in low-risk groups against this virus. However, we must take precautions and security-distance so that people who may be at greater risk are safe. The less pressure we put on our health care system, the less danger for a person who may need care. The only way to flatten the curve is to take care of ourselves. The people around us need us to help them. Another quality that characterizes us is our social character, which is damaged by the feeling of loneliness and isolation. However, these are small sacrifices that we will have to make if we want this situation to cease. We cannot forget that, as citizens, isolated or not, we are an essential pillar of the health system.
We have received numerous videos in the recent days from several people have offered their support to improve the quality of life of those most in need (even though they were not healthcare professionals). These people help to build a new social environment against isolation and the virus. However, we still need a greater collective effort to overcome the Covid-19.
This crisis tests the values of our society, like solidarity. A good example of this is the 7,000 volunteering positions that the Community of Madrid has created to help vulnerable people during their isolation, which have been filled in just one day. We know that this crisis will have a great cost. However, the amount of this cost will depend on how supportive we are with the most vulnerable parts of society.
Despite the risk, we cannot “turn off” society. Therefore, we must also show solidarity to health professionals, administrative and maintenance staff of the health services. However, we also need people in the warehouses, customs, transporters, employees in the stores and even companies of different services such as water distribution. This crisis also highlights those essential people in our daily lives. Those who currently put themselves and their beloved people at risk for us to go to supermarket to buy the products we need, among many other things. These people also deserve to be applauded for the effort they make every day.
This reality calls on the citizens to be supportive and generous to help contain the virus, making sacrifices that may seem small and temporary, but will help save lives. We must bring out the best of us: solidarity, generosity, moderation and empathy. In addition, we can take advantage of this opportunity to learn how to improve aspects such as family conciliation among many other things.
We must feel united wherever we are. Solidarity is the message that must be conveyed everywhere to ensure a better future. This pandemic gives us the opportunity to change the individualistic dogma that sometimes seems to prevail and claim solidarity as an essential part of our humanity. Let’s respect the social distance, but let’s overcome this crisis closer than ever, together.
Sources: La Vanguardia, elPeriódico, Delfino
