It is unreasonable not to worry or at least be very concerned about the fate of mankind over the next few months and years in the wake of the devastation wrought on the world by the novel coronavirus. Nothing would ever be the same again, at least in the foreseeable future. Each time you go out to a public place, a neighbourhood centre, a gym, place of worship, hospital, school or restaurant; you would certainly come home with some feeling of uncertainty over who or what you came in contact with.
Did you place your hand on the counter while waiting for your meal? Did someone sneeze without covering his nose while you were close? Did you shake someone or a group of people out of excitement? Did you forget to wash your hands or use the hand sanitiser after alighting from a public vehicle or using the ATM? Did you forget your face mask at home and can’t find where to buy one? One or all of these questions and more will cause us sleepless nights in the days ahead, distract us from work or make us edgy as we struggle to understand what this “coronavirus thing” is really about. Truth is: at the moment; what you find mostly as experts opinions are mere guesswork. Not much studies have been done on this strain of the virus to make anyone an authority on the subject.
While we appreciate the fact that no one knows enough to offer a concrete position on the subject, we must now be prepared to get on with our lives, running with the little knowledge we have managed to piece together thus far.
The pains and anxieties we have seen across the world in the last seven weeks are clear indicators that the modern man is not created to be stationary; merely waking up to sit in front of the TV, eat and then fall and asleep and wake up again to continue flipping the channels, switching from scary images on the screen to some comedy and then back to the news.
To many people, it just seems they can’t get enough. For several others, the little they have heard thus far has demoralised and weakened their resolve. This is something no one ever anticipated. The poor are in anguish, the rich are anxious: can money still answer all things?
Whatever the story, we shall hit the streets again in the next few days, this time a bit more cautiously. Of course, it is great to be cautious, to take care of oneself and observe all the standard procedures public health officials insist we must abide by.
What we must also do is to resist the temptation to give in to fear, panic and other such emotions that profit us very little while destroying our souls. Humanity is grieving, and it must be clear to us all that this is not a time to be unnecessarily critical or mean spirited. What this season demand is that we embrace love, kindness and be attentive to the next person. Charity must constantly accompany us. Do not mistake charity to mean just the handing out of material things. Greet others warmly and respond to every salutation with a smile. Speak nicely and refuse to take offence at minor things.
Selfishness must have no place in the new world. Do not think of just what you can take out of the system. Pay attention to find out what you can give to the system. Reduce your personal consumption levels if you can and channel the excess to members of your household or to people in your neighbourhood who have been adversely hit by the pandemic. Reach out to your old friends and colleagues for support and to also encourage and cheer them. That 60 seconds phone call, SMS or email may mean little to you that may be the most important ingredient someone needs to push for one more day.
This message concerns churches, communities, neighbourhood associations and organisations. The most important project right now should be how members can be sustained until they are back on their feet. There will always be time in the future to build a new auditorium, buy a new car or change the sound system. Right now, the emphasis should be on basic consumables.
Acknowledged that we need a tough mental strength to resume after a lengthy time on the sidelines, it must also be stated that we need a steady supply of food and other essential material necessities to keep going from one day to the next.
May we find the courage to push further and win.
