COVID-19 is a worldwide issue right now. People are working on the vaccine and saving lives. Measures are in place to help protect all of us.
Social distancing – Merriam Webster Definition:
the practice of maintaining a greater than usual physical distance from other people or of avoiding direct contact with people or objects in public places during the outbreak of a contagious disease in order to minimize exposure and reduce the transmission of infection
Preventing the Spread Of COVID-19-according to CDC guidelines:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
These are just 2 measures, but what is the real reason for differing reactions to COVID-19.
COVID-19 FEAR!
WHY?
Well, why what? Why is FEAR so rampant? Why are some more worried about money than life? Why do some move into the line of fire without any thought? Why do parents worry about their kiddos, not going to school?
It all has to do with what our goal is in life. We all have differing jobs and views. Many people do not understand the virus and, therefore, can not react seriously. Or they do understand it and respond with a flippant attitude out of fear.
Professional Groups
The Mathematical Group
Those with jobs that deal with finance and the stock market see this virus in a different light. The stock market is dropping. Many are required to stay home and some without pay. Companies can not pay employees if they do not make money.
Our economy is and will suffer tremendously. Those who deal with the money have to look at it from an economic view. All of the different types of people are what make the world go around and function smoothly.
The Family Group
Those who teach our children and parents who provide for these children view this in a different light. How can they put food on the table unless they bring home a paycheck? How can parents work with their children home from school and no daycare?
It is a vicious cycle. One that promotes FEAR and determines social distancing. When children are involved the FEAR of preservation increases.
It is not just who will teach the kiddos or who will entertain them. The fear runs much deeper than this. A parent has an ingrained need to care for their children above all else. But they can not do this without income.
The Health Care Group
This group is on the front line with very little defense against COVID-19. Can they turn and run or hide under a rock until we contain the virus? NO, not hardly.
They go to work every day and know that the risk of contamination is high, and their lives are on the line. The highest percentage of nurses today are of retirement age. Each one of them knows they can lose their life from COVID-19.
Health care workers think in terms of life and death every day of their lives. In light of the virus, many FEAR for their own lives but continue to go to work.
I am in the health care realm. Until COVID-19 was released on the population, I did not understand the lack of knowledge by laypeople for their medical care. The general population does not know how a virus infects the body or how hard the outer shell of a virus is to penetrate.
There are many other professions in the world. I chose these 3 groups to bring my point home.
There will be the cry of death all around us. I wrote a couple of post regarding this subject you may want to take a look at.
After Love Has Gone-I Pray
The Pain Of Death
What Do These Groups Have In Common?
FEAR! Every one of us has fear to an extent. The numbers group know all too well how the economy can destroy our world as we know it now.
The parents’ group understands all too well the FEAR of losing a child or not having the resources to care for them.
The health care group feel the FEAR of everyone in the world and know the hand of exhaustion from overcrowded medical facilities. They know there are not enough people to care for the increasing numbers of sick patients.
What Is Your Responsibility?
I want to drive my point home. Our primary responsibility is not to make sure the world is OK or to make sure the sick get the care they need or whether our children have a home.
Kindness
I see posts on Facebook and other social media platforms. I have posted my fair share of COVID-19 photos and articles. These social media posts range from anger to denial, to fear, to happy-go-lucky.
All of us who either post or react are doing so based on our paradigm in life. You have a base knowledge of certain things that you run your life through.
You try to convince others to act and react as you do. After all, your way is the best. Or is it?
Doesn’t it take every single person and group to make up the world? Don’t each of you have a part to play in the ecosystem of life?
So why does another have to think the way you do, or you think the way they do?
That is my point. In the face of a world crisis, why don’t you try saying a kind word or accepting the view of another?
You need to look at the insights of others and view them from their thought process. You need to help your fellow neighbor or set an example.
It is fine to post your opinion because it is a part of the system that makes the world turn. But it is not fine to argue with others to make them see your point. Arguing perpetuates FEAR.
Why not take all of the points into view and look at this crisis from the standpoint of many. It will help you grow and round out the bigger picture.
Examples
The mathematical group argues that this is a crisis for the benefit of the election. OK, so maybe it is or perhaps not, but when someone comments like this step back to see why.
FEAR! It is based on FEAR. It is a need to blame someone for what may happen to our world if this continues.
To argue this point will not help that person alleviate their fear. It will promote more anger.
The parent group talks about how they don’t want their children to miss school and what they will do about daycare. Why did they comment on this? Take a step back and look.
FEAR! It is all from a fear that they can not care for their family as they need to.
Yet when a person comments back, it is laced with an argument that parents just don’t want to take care of their kiddos all the time.
As for the health care group, they post about the life-threatening situations of the virus. They try to convince the world how dangerous COVID-19 is. They argue that they cannot socially distance themselves because they have to go to work to care for the sick.
Take a step back and look at these comments. Why are they stating the obvious?
FEAR! Fear of death to themselves and an inability to care for the critically ill in a manner they know they need to. There are not enough hospital beds or medical staff.
People comment back in a state of denial. It can’t be that bad!
What Can We Do?
The bottom line is to try to understand that your view is not everyone’s way of thinking. Attempt to look at it from the other person’s eyes.
Be kind. Never comment in an attempt to provoke another so you can release your anger.
Every person in this world is in the same situation. Some countries are better than others. Some are not.
Right now, FEAR is ruling the words and actions of most. FEAR is debilitating and can change the face of our world. Don’t let this happen.
Take a look at how you act and react. Change the way you see others. Run their comments and FEARS through a filter of kindness.
When COVID-19 is under control, we will all remember the words and actions of another. Make those memories good ones.
COVID-19 is a fearful time. I am sure there are many differing opinions. I am here to present the side that will make the biggest impression when we all get to the other side of this life-changing issue. If you have comments or questions, please leave them in the comment section below.
Great post here and I really like your approach to this study right now. Seeing it from the view point of others rather than antagonising and provoking fights, it is better to only see opinions and share from others view. Everyone is afraid and it is only normal that ideas would lead to viewpoints. And as humans, we cannot all be on the sane page. Great post and I’m definitely sharing this
Thank you so much. I do appreciate the share. I hope to influence many to practice kindness and look at how others feel as well.
I think you have described why there is so much fear about Covid-19. First, there are the economic fears. If people can’t work and get paid how will they provide for themselves and their families. Certainly, the fear can be felt by the whole family including the children. The bottom line is we can be paralyzed by fear or combat it. By trying to be kind and finding ways to help others will go a long way to overcoming fear.
Yes, you are so right, Lee. As FDR said, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” His statement is perfect for these difficult times. Fear is driving all of the differing opinions. Each opinion is colliding, and each person is fighting for his or her right to be heard.
These are certainly challenging times. You are correct, so much of the dialogue surrounding this crisis is rooted in fear. It’s understandable, really. The health and economic risks are very real. Many people are already suffering in both of those areas and many more will be before it’s over. Still, it’s important that we don’t simply give ourselves over to fear. Caution and common sense, yes. You make good points about how different people view things differently, which in turn, helps form their reaction. It’s important to remember that most people are under some level of increased stress and anxiety right now. There has never been a better time to practice kindness.
Randy, yes, these are challenging times, and they will change the way we live life after the virus has passed. In the end, we will remember how others treated us, and they will remember how we treated them. You are right. Now is the best time to be kind. It is difficult when we have fear, but now is the best time to practice, as you say with “caution and common sense.
Thank you for stopping by. I do appreciate your input.
Laura