The pandemic’s dilemmas
Born in Madhubani in Bihar and professor of global medicine at Harvard, Ashish Jha is one of countless persons of “external” origin playing a role in America’s battle against Covid-19. The other evening he pronounced on TV what may be a valuable mantra everywhere.
“Shield the susceptible from the infected,” he said.
This seemingly obvious maxim is perhaps what should guide us, whether we are family members embarking on an unavoidable outing from our shelters, or officials pondering a relaxation in curbs on travel or on educational, recreational or commercial activities.
Covid 19 is lethal and contagious. Endless isolation is economically and psychologically ruinous.
Both statements are utterly true. It also seems true that much of the contagion is spread by persons unaware that they carry the virus.
The “infected” in Dr. Jha’s advice should therefore read “possibly infected”. Which underlines the imprecision in advice, and the risks in decision-making, that surround the pandemic.
Living with uncertainty is the pandemic’s demand. It is life’s demand, as we know and have always known. But a pandemic excavates buried truth, and proclaims it in giant letters.
Another gift of the pandemic is an experience of prison life. We used to think that house arrest and confinement were for political fighters or criminals. Now we know better. We’ve joined the ranks of those who have struggled for rights, or violated laws, and gone to prison.
Many years ago, I heard someone released from years of harsh captivity in the Middle East say in a TV interview that he had survived the ordeal by deciding, within moments of his capture, that he would nurse no regrets, no blame, and no guilt.
Every ounce of his energy, mental or physical, and every second of his time was needed for survival. Regretting the past was a luxury he could not afford.
However, our Covid-19 imprisonment should permit honest and bold reflection on life as it has been lived by us and around us. The hourly evidence of brave service by persons of every race, religion, and background should explode our petty dislikes into thin air.
Even so, human nature being what it is, some will find in the pandemic a scapegoating opportunity that is too good to miss. It will be interesting to see whether humanity emerges from it more united or more confrontational, more equal or more hierarchical.
We can be certain that the pandemic will unleash a flood of creativity. Films, songs and novels, and ideas for society, the economy and the environment, will emerge from the solitude and sorrow it has compelled.
In fact isolation has given to each of us a chance to jot down, or record in ways possible, what’s important. Not only wills, or clear information or instructions for children and other loved ones, but also past incidents that meant much to us, the drama and the wonder that have been a part of every person’s life.
During these weeks of uncertainty and hazard, we’ve all silently sought forgiveness for our shortcomings. We’ve felt ashamed of the smallness, so often, of our hearts, our frequent inability to recognize the qualities of those we haven’t got along with.
We have also, I suspect, thought more than before of those in need – of sustenance, dignity, respect, health, peace, understanding, love, whatever -- and we may have tried to be of help to some.
And we’ve perhaps said to ourselves, “I will fight harder than ever before for what’s right, and with a cleaner heart.”
Because the air is cleaner, flowers are prettier than before and birds chirpier. More starkly aware of the brevity of our lives, we are also better at recognizing the beauty of flowers and birdsong.
Our sad, poor, needy world is also a wonderful world.
