One Day, One Community
See everybody that's existing, Got a mind of their own, We're all Kings and Queens, With a throne of our own, Tryin to raise a family, Is an empty home, We got to learn to stick together, Hate to be here alone 'Cause the world is a place, That will eat you alive in one day, Said the world is a place, That you can't survive without faith." - Matisyahu, “One Day” One Day
I just took a break from all of the panic and chaos caused by the corona virus. I got tired; of seeing all of the selfish hoarding, hearing the, “what about me”, stories from everyone that could be effected by the virus, and tired of seeing what effect it had already had on so many people. I took a break to watch a movie; initially, to take my mind off the disorder. What happened, was that I chose a movie the both restored my faith in humanity, and that gave me hope. Hope that, we can survive this thing without it destroying not only lives, but communities. That we could band together throughout this apparent crisis; instead of creating further panic and without considering only ourselves.
After I watched the movie; Seven Pounds, with Will Smith. A movie, where the main character, after having lost his wife in a car accident (a much more twisted plot than that, but I don’t want to spoil it in case anyone wants to watch it later), starts giving away his things; things that were otherwise, of great importance to him. Watch it, it’s inspiring, in a crazy sort of way; and heartbreaking. Either way, after watching this movie, and then going back on social media, only to find more panic, and more of both the best and the worst of humanity, in the same place, I decided to finally write my thoughts on all of this.
Initially, I didn’t want to be yet, another person to shed more, light on the effect of this dis-ease. I didn’t want to mention it in this format, because I was afraid of spreading more fear and creating more panic. But now, I cannot help but comment. But my comments aren’t, “wash your hands”, or, “stock up and self-isolate to avoid infection”. On the contrary, my thoughts take on a completely different perspective that I’ve yet to see much of; on social media, or from the mainstream media. my thoughts will not be well-articulated, as they normally are, in posts like these but they need to be expressed. Here it goes.
My thoughts are these;
Stop hoarding essentials. You are not the only person in the world. you are not the only one who may need to self-isolate; as a preventative measure or as a form of containment. You are not the only one who needs these things to survive. If you have already hoarded things like; toilet paper, bottled water, and hand sanitizer, then you need to start sharing with those who don’t have a disposable income like you do. You need to share with those of whom didn’t get a chance to bulk purchase due to panic, when you did. You need to share with those who are already self-isolated, or contained, and cannot make it out. You need to get off your ass and go help others who cannot help themselves in the same way that you can.
Next, if you did panic shop and have stocked up for what you seem to think is Armageddon, don’t you dare try to profit from another person’s misery. Don’t you dare; try to sell these items at astronomical prices and engage in gouging. SHARE! HELP!
Also, if you are ones who are not immunocompromised, help those who are. Offer your services and your assistance to those who cannot or should not go out in public, at the moment. Don’t be selfish; act like a community. Help the ill, the young, the elderly. Shop for them, drop things off that they need.
Help the families who cannot afford childcare while the school and daycares are shut down. Offer to baby sit. Help by, sharing the costs or the practical support, if you have the time and the money to do so. If you have something to share, share it.
If you have something to offer, offer it. If there is something that you can do, do it. Get off your ass and help, in any way you can! Don’t be selfish or greedy with your time, your money and your resources.
Furthermore, there are as many jobs effected as there are health-related issues, apparently. With all of the cancellations, there are people out of work now, with no way of paying their bills or buying essentials. Limiting their resources, even more. If you have work that needs doing, hire these people temporarily. If you have resources to share, share them with those who cannot and have not ‘stocked up’.
Finally, I saw a meme today that suggested that compassion was the more important thing to ‘stock up on’. Instead of stocking up on toilet paper, stock up on compassion. If you are the fear mongering type, keep it to yourself. Spread love, not fear. If this is the pending doom that everyone seems to think it is, maybe just maybe, you’re being tested. Are you going pass or fail?
Have some faith. Spread some faith. Give others faith. Band together, in a proper community and support one another.
Now is not a time for division or selfishness. Now is a time for community and togetherness. Maybe it is a test. Think long and hard about your response. Will you pass? Or will you fail?
On a sidenote, I am starting a page for our local community; a sharing of resources and services page. Where people can help each other and share what they have and what they can do, with each other. Maybe you can do the same in your locale, as well.
Remember, we are one community. And, even if you cannot see it now, you will, "one day".