If you review past history, whenever a disaster struck, generally people are moved by compassion and they usually come together and help each other.
But, it is equally true that pandemics are experienced as notable exceptions, historically, all over.
If you consider the past earthquakes, wildfires and hurricanes incidences, we have observed that people United and unify.
However, throughout history, pandemics have been known to produce a detached kind of mindset and survival of the fittest kind of mentality.
It is important to understand why do pandemics result in less compassion than other types of disasters the world has experienced earlier.
The main reason is fear.
If we’re afraid of each other, naturally it will drive us apart.
On the other hand, if it is a hurricane, or earthquake or wildfire, where people unite against a visible, external enemy.
An enemy you can see with your own eyes.
While in the case of a pandemic, the enemy is invisible and can be inside the people around us. We are unsure about who is healthy and who is infected. We can't make out from whom we face threats and who are safe to mingle with.
Further, the norms of “social distancing” and maintaining a minimum of 6 ft. distance from others, to limit the spread of the virus drives us apart, not together.
We need to develop an understanding of adherence to social distancing as compassion for others.
Let us convince ourselves that we are together in this pandemic, and we will get through this pandemic together.
But, it is equally true that pandemics are experienced as notable exceptions, historically, all over.
If you consider the past earthquakes, wildfires and hurricanes incidences, we have observed that people United and unify.
However, throughout history, pandemics have been known to produce a detached kind of mindset and survival of the fittest kind of mentality.
It is important to understand why do pandemics result in less compassion than other types of disasters the world has experienced earlier.
The main reason is fear.
If we’re afraid of each other, naturally it will drive us apart.
On the other hand, if it is a hurricane, or earthquake or wildfire, where people unite against a visible, external enemy.
An enemy you can see with your own eyes.
While in the case of a pandemic, the enemy is invisible and can be inside the people around us. We are unsure about who is healthy and who is infected. We can't make out from whom we face threats and who are safe to mingle with.
Further, the norms of “social distancing” and maintaining a minimum of 6 ft. distance from others, to limit the spread of the virus drives us apart, not together.
We need to develop an understanding of adherence to social distancing as compassion for others.
Let us convince ourselves that we are together in this pandemic, and we will get through this pandemic together.
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