COVID-19, fear and working together
In the 2017 film, Going in Style, Michael Caine鈥檚 character found himself in the midst of a bank heist. As he handed his wallet to the robber, the masked thief gave it back to him, telling the old man, 鈥淚t is a culture’s duty to take care of its elderly鈥�. I鈥檇 like to extend that sentiment: it鈥檚 a culture鈥檚 duty to take care of its most vulnerable.
While taking care of each other should always be society鈥檚 primary goal, it is particularly salient now. We are entering unprecedented times: cities and provinces have been implementing drastic measures to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Canada has just that it will close its borders to most foreign nationals.
It seems that the world is standing still. We are holding our collective breaths, waiting鈥� waiting for something. And this waiting can make us feel helpless, especially when it comes to social and community involvement. Sometimes, it feels that it is every person for themselves, which risks us becoming selfish, xenophobic, and violent.
So what can we do? Can we practice peace in times of what may feel like a world war with a virus? Can we be socially engaged without putting our health at risk?
Yes, we can. In fact, we can do so without compromising our health. Here are several strategies to help you navigate this brave new world and to practice peace and help to quell fear.
- It鈥檚 okay to admit that the situation is
The situation is disconcerting and concerning, and admitting that is okay. The disease is new and there are many unknowns, and we are often afraid of the unknown. But when we start letting fear take over our lives, we begin to panic, which can lead to misinformation, stereotyping, and discrimination. However, by admitting that the situation is scary, we take first important step in controlling our responses and ultimately, controlling our panic.
- Get the facts
Ah鈥�. the Internet. It鈥檚 a place that allows us all to connect with others, to learn about the world, and to discover new ideas. It is also a hotbed for misinformation that spreads faster that Ellen鈥檚 Oscar photo. It鈥檚 the latter that can be dangerous as it can hinder doctors and experts from doing their jobs to flatten the curve and protect our most vulnerable. When we educate ourselves from credible and expert sources, we not only protect ourselves and avoid prejudices, but we also do our part in combatting this global virus.The facts from the WHO, the Canadian and Quebec governments, and the CDC all suggest the same: everyone鈥攔egardless of health and age鈥攕hould stay at home. At the very least, everyone should be practicing social distancing (2 meters); washing hands thoroughly and frequently; self-isolating if feeling unwell; covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze; and don鈥檛 touch your face. We don鈥檛 just avoid exposing ourselves, but we can also protect others.
As for Sandy Plankton鈥檚 claim that this is a global conspiracy or that the virus is no big deal? Let me point out that for as long as there have been governments, there have been complaints about governmental inefficiency. These claims contribute to the general panic, diminish the severity for concern, and hinder the efforts of our doctors, nurses, and front-line workers. Don鈥檛 be like Sandy Plankton.
- Stop Discrimination
Words and terms matter. One of the ways to combat fear and stigma is to call the virus by its proper name. It鈥檚 either COVID-19 or the coronavirus. It鈥檚 not the 鈥淐hinese鈥� or 鈥淎sian鈥� disease. This is racist and spreads discrimination. By further perpetuating these discriminatory terms, we are creating stigma, which could cause people not to seek medical treatments and further endanger themselves. The WHO has an excellent on how to properly discuss COVID-19 without spreading stigma.
Be cautious about the memes and images you share. It鈥檚 not only important to make sure that they are factually correct, but that they do not inadvertently perpetuate stereotypes. Call out people who circulate harmful memes, which will demonstrate solidarity and also slow down the progression of discrimination.
- Keep youself and loved ones healthy
By now, you already know what to do: wash your hands; cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze; social distancing; staying at home; and self-isolate if you feel unwell or if you have been advised to do so. However, this is not a punishment but a way to cooperate in order to slow the spread of the virus down. Because it is so new, and because we don鈥檛 know how it acts, it鈥檚 difficult to protect the most vulnerable around us. Is it boring? Yes. Is it frustrating? Sure. But is it necessary? Absolutely, and without question. By doing what we can control鈥攖hat is, our actions鈥攚e are also mitigating the fear within and around us.
- Practice (safe) social outreach
While many of us are healthy and can cautiously move around, many of us cannot. The elderly, the vulnerable, and those who were advised to self-isolate, are stuck. It becomes important to think of them in times like this. Like that scene in Going in Style, a society should take care of its own. We should reach out to those who need help, and even those who might not.
Check in with family, friends, and those who are vulnerable. A simple call or text can brighten up anyone鈥檚 day, but someone who has limited contact with the outside world, it can really provide strength and hope. Reach out and build a community.
If you know of anyone who is shut in, drop off groceries, books, or activities (always check with your local guidelines). In my community, people are having window conversations: those who can leave their homes will go for walks, stopping by the homes of those who cannot leave, who will then go to their windows and have a chat with their neighbours. A simple idea started by two children, this has blossomed into a daily event and is making the neighbourhood considerably more chatty (as a side note, I would suggest that one does not use 鈥淗ey, are you banned?鈥� as an opener. It might work for a six-year-old, but probably not for anyone else).
Use technology to its fullest: Facebook groups are popping up, focusing on connecting those who are bunkering down with shared interests: art, music, online RPGs, fantasy football, and book clubs. For more ideas, read what these Montreal communities are doing .
- Be Inspired.
This is not to minimise the severity of COVID-19 whatsoever. It is a concerning virus; but sometimes, taking inspiration can help us combat fear. Already, is seeing a drop of factory-produced nitrogen levels, and there is a decrease in carbon-emissions. If the shift of more people working mostly at home continues, we can expect these kinds of decline. All around the world, people are reaching out to each other to ease the isolation a bit: balcony in Italy to nightly to a free concert from Boston to to free and . While the pandemic has indeed brought out the worst in some people, it has also brought people together to work on the collective good that could very well reshape our world for the better.
If we all do our part, if we all work together, if we think about others, we can not only pull through this stronger than before but also change society: where the needs and health are placed as priority, where we are all working together. We have already proven that we can work together despite the restrictions placed on us, and we can continue to work together to improve our collective lives, by taking care of our own. Because that鈥檚 what we do.
So to you all, I wish you good health and bon courage. The Peace Centre will post links and articles on its website and Facebook page, everything on how we can be social while social distancing to simple activities. I know that we can pull through if we work together, emerging stronger and more compassionate than ever.
And remember: wash your hands.
Ildik贸 Glaser-Hille
Interim Programming Coordinator
Peace Centre
