How a Microscopic Entity Changed a Macroscopic Reality (73)

It was slow to start. The vibration was a slight rumble. It caused notice for sure, but temporary focus that led to easy distraction. We heard about it, every third or fourth story, then every other story. Then all consuming, it magnified- a gentle reverberation, became a quake. A magnitude irreversible, yet containable. Momentous and significant.

A silent invasion, became loud enough for us to quiver.

Normalcy dissipated, leaving behind a weight, a heaviness, palpable. People are behaving as expected, nervous yet somehow, orderly and ordinary. No one shoving or in a panic. But shelves are empty, toilet paper the first wide spread item to go. Then canned goods, any type of alcohol wipes that remained, after the mass hand-sanitizer acquisition, are long gone. Pasta and dried goods are disappearing now. People are preparing for the hunker.

So many conflicting reports- epidemic, pandemic. Stay home, go to work- support local businesses. Wash your hands, use disinfectant. Close large venues, even smaller ones. Steer clear of hospitals unless it’s an emergency. What are the symptoms? How can you tell if its allergies, the flu or Coronavirus? Not enough tests. Cases increasing, yet with not enough tests- how accurate can reporting be? How sick are people getting?

Cars driving, they seem focused. Days end- starting the weekend, with no where to go. Groceries, entertainment, fuel, travel? What are people doing in large cities? Rural areas? School closures, University closures. Disneyland, The Louvre, Italy. This is universal. This is non-discriminatory. We must support our local communities- if one business fail’s we all lose.

Carrier. Infected. Incubation period. Transmittable. Distance. Withdrawal. No handshakes, no hugs. Yet on national television our president is doing both. Model behavior. Vital, concise information. No patting on the back, delay’s cost lives. But collaboration and cooperation should flatten the curve. Slow the spread. Are we willing to forgo our vacations for the betterment of all? I think so. I believe in people.

It takes a crisis sometimes for people to pause the expansion, of their bubble and to hear what is happening, beyond the protective barrier, of their existence. Myopia is alive and kicking and this has quieted its stomp, at least temporarily. People are listening, then bulk-purchasing. Who needs 10 packages of toilet paper? When many others have none. Why toilet paper?

Why not soap? Why hand-sanitizer and not liquid hand soap? My classroom is full of hand-sanitizer. Yet, I can’t get to it. It’s a very strange level of affairs right now. 46 out of 50 states have individuals who have been infected. If we can slow its rate, we can give doctors and hospitals time to prepare, make sure there are enough beds for those who are sick. We have to see this crisis as not just personal, myopic, but as communal and support one-another- without judgement or fear.

This is the beginning not the end. This situation will bring out the best in people. But also, the worst in people. After the shock and denial wears off, I hope that mindfulness prevails. That people will leave things on the shelves for those who need it. I hope school systems will make sure students are fed, have Internet for learning and keeping up with updates. I hope that this cleanse, this reset, reboot, what ever you want to call it- starts a trend.

A trend of forgiveness and gratitude. Any help offered is valuable. A trend of sharing and providing comfort for those in need. A trend of listening and collaboration rather than finger pointing. Honestly, finger-pointing is pointless. We must work together to make sure every American has food, shelter and medical care. That everyone around the globe is getting the help they need during this pandemic.

I hope for a lot of things. 

But, most importantly that people, hang up their self-centeredness and take care of one another. That humanity realizes we are fighting a battle here, not just one with a microscopic invader, but also a prejudicial and arrogant assumption that “This inconvenience is unnecessary.” It is necessary. Better to overreact than under-react. Save lives. Change lives. Alter society for the better. Become better.

Transformation is hard. Especially when we are scared. But, if we focus on the truth, research and gather real, honest data- stop the rumors and negativity- we can get past this. We will hopefully look back and say I did positive work to help others- not I was myopic, I only took care of myself.

Only time will tell-

How one microscopic entity brought about a new macroscopic reality: News at 11:00.