We have all been quarantined to our properties for weeks and except for the occasionally outing for groceries or a stroll around the block that includes many rules and regulations, it is downright surreal. We have experienced feelings of confusion, anger and fear, and even substance abuse (I drink more pepsi-cola than I should). Whether the virus will burn itself out in two months or two years in anybody’s guess.
Right now this pandemic is giving us the once-in-a-lifetime chance to see ourselves and our country in the dullest possible way. Never before, have we had the time to see what would happen if the world basically stopped like it has – curtailment, social distancing, restricted driving and accommodation with the exact same person or person for weeks on end (a delight or a dreadfulness). Here it is and we’re in it. Most stores are closed. Restaurants are empty. Frustration and stress is heightened. Friends are available only by telephone or the internet. Even the quarrelling among nations is subdued, akin to cordiality. And because this pandemic is rarer than rare, it has illuminated all of the painful truths of how we have lived. We can see how consumerism and greed has contributed to the ruining of our planet by influencing the existential rate of climate change.
Some of us can logically depict this crisis as an opportunity to create a better country for us and a better world for our kids. To make sure a grander way of doing things is sustainable, we have to pay attention to how we feel right now with the absence of all the noise and global problems during the pandemic. The new standard after the biggest crisis of our generation will mean government decisions that that will shape our lives for years to come. Do we really want the world to be the same as it was? If not, we must act quickly and decisively about what kind of world we would like once the storm passes – and it will.
Remember, the economy will come roaring back like a force of nature with its fancy products and millions of jobs to challenge our pent-up lusts. Unleashed will be the greatest campaign ever created to get us to feel normal again? It will be so extensive that we soon won’t be mindful of our need for the world to change to a preferred slowed-down pace with more collaboration among the nations of the world. Take a deep breath and think deeply about what you want to put back into your life – the same as it was or better. If better; global warming could be curbed, reliance on fossil-fuels minimized and world health systems enhanced to highest of standards.
The economy at its core, wasn’t intended to be evil. The power of economics have lifted more humans out of poverty than any other civilization in history, but at the same time its flaws have been laid bare. It doesn’t work for everyone. It’s responsible for great destruction and corruptible intentions. In fact, it’s been brought to its knees by a pandemic – now giving us a chance to redo it, to define this “Great Return to Normal”, a new version of living. We are at a milestone, a truly sacred opportunity to get rid of the noise of what was and to only bring back what works for us, what makes our lives richer, what makes our kids happier and what makes us truly proud.
These desirable alterations that would in pre-corona times have generated years of debate and vigorous dissent are now within reach: the many jobs that have proved to be able to work from home and a hallmark of new volunteerism is welcoming. More worrying – is the way governments are deploying or considering surveillance technology of such intrusiveness that it would have caused outrage even a month ago. That is not acceptable.
Once the coronavirus is behind us, we will once again be able to amble on any street, to hug our friends and neighbours, to become involved in community activities once more and go to bed at night without fear of the virus haunting our sleep. And I’m not washing my hands for a week!
