A Measured Response to the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken over the world. Though we are all in the same storm, we are in DIFFERENT Boats. Some are in cruise ships, others in catamarans, still others in Dinghy's and others in small rafts and of these some are even without a paddle. How do we all respond to this pandemic.

One predominant realisation of this pandemic is that not only are we dependent but we are interdependent. My cough or sneeze affects another. By my touch I can bring about an infection and affect another.

Despite this challenge, however, we do not give in to despair. We can respond positively. We need to ask if we will be positive and optimistic, hopeful and resilient or if we will be negative and despairing, lose hope and give up or give in. Giving up must not be an option. We must keep on keeping on.

We respond by realising the following:

(1) Life is fragile and temporary. No one and nothing is indispensable. Since this is a fact, we live fully in the present moment. We do what we have to do NOW. We do not regret the past, nor are we obsessed with the future, but live one moment of one day at a time.

(2) We may have made tremendous progress in science and technology but we also realise that a dead virus can control our every moment and not allow us to be free. This shows that our progress is of no consequence whatsoever and we still have a long way to go if progress is to be considered as real

(3) God will always be God and we will always be human. We might make attempts to try to be God and try to play God. However, these attempts will be futile and will always fail.

(4) We are our brother's and sister's keepers. Their pain is my pain, their joy or well-being is my joy and well-being

(5) The poor and downtrodden are the ones who are particularly vulnerable and those of us who can MUST accept responsibility for them and reach out to them in every way we can

(6) We are interdependent on each other and the environment. The birds, plants, animals, seas, rivers, trees and all life is our responsibility. My actions have a snowballing effect and therefore I must be careful with every action I preform.

(7) Creativity is the need of the hour and I need to be as creative as possible in the manner in which I respond to life and my present situation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMH3kqpaZMk