We're all in this together. Or we should be.

Where there is unity there is always victory. Publilius Syrus

There have been certain events in the news lately that I find worrisome. The corvid-19 pandemic is, by definition, a global crisis. It is not just a problem in any one or two countries. It now has its grip on every single country in the world. It is a crisis shared by every inhabitant in every stratum of humanity. Therefore, for victory to be had over this scourge, it is absolutely vital that we all work together.

For the most part I do believe that most people understand this and are doing what they can to stick together and to do their part in this mutual battle. But now there is disturbing evidence that the unity that is so necessary is beginning to splinter as, first, individual nations begin to squabble over money and potential cures, then the people they represent begin rising up irresponsibly and selfishly to try to force their own agendas on everyone else.

A pandemic is not a political issue and it is wrong to try to make it so. It is highly personal. It is mutual in scope, and as such it cannot and should not be made a matter of “this is mine and not yours” when it comes to the tools and weapons needed to defeat it. When we all have a hand in the battle we all share in the victory. When we go our separate ways there can be no clear winner, if one at all, because as I said before, this is a global crisis. This country may have part of the solution while another have another part and another still another part. It is only the fools among us who would believe otherwise and refuse to add their convictions and energies to the communal fight.

And as for those who would demand individual considerations on the grounds of personal liberty, there is a time and place for that discussion. This is neither the time nor the place. There are more important considerations to be dealt with, beginning with the containment of the threat. We all want things to return to normal. We all want our absolute liberty. But in the face of a common enemy we do not have the luxury of selfish ideologies. At the best of times our actions directly and indirectly impact a vast number of others. In this case, your decision to break ranks very likely endangers the very lives of those around you and who come in contact with you. No more and no less. And this is completely unacceptable. If you want to risk your life, fine. That is your choice. But don't force the rest of us to be a sacrifice to your self destructiveness.

Corvid-19 doesn't care if you are rich or poor, if you are a capitalist or a communist, or if you are Christian, Jewish, or Buddhist. It is an equal opportunity plague, and it is powerful. It will take the communal might of all to defeat it. Woe be to us all if we break apart now.


Image by Syaibatul Hamdi from pixabay.com