I feel like the exchange exhibited here is a very important exchange between two totally different people going through the same travesty. Because of their generational differences and experiences they have both developed different viewpoints and frames of mind. But that is not to say that either one is in the wrong. Both of these people enduring through the pandemic are exhibiting the things they are struggling with internally as a result of the decisions of others. Those truly in the wrong in this situation are the ones who have allowed for this ravenous virus to continue its unwanted antics for far too long. I am not here to judge the decisions of others, I have no place or formal authority to do so, but I will say that if it was up to me, and if my opinion did matter, I would be judging heavily. This example provided shows the struggle those who have made sacrifices, done the right thing, and just been a good person throughout this whole pandemic. There are millions of people who have loved ones, family and friends, even acquaintances who have died or could very easily be effected terminally by this virus, but some people don’t want to do what needs to be done to move forward because of politics, conspiracies and any of the other human reactions developed due to fear.
“Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay. Right now, today, we are still alive, and our bodies are working marvelously. Our eyes can still see the beautiful sky. Our ears can still hear the voices of our loved ones” – Thich Nhat Hanh
“Thich Nhat Hanh Quotes.” BrainyQuote, Xplore, https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/thich_nhat_hanh_531574?src=t_fear.
Fear has become the real pandemic throughout the past couple years. It is the fear of death, loss, change, and most of all, the unknown that grips the throats of billions of people all over the world. The most interesting part of this development of fear, however, is the way in which it has driven the common man to turn on his neighbor. But what can we do about this? How can we move forward when the fear, division, and hatred have driven us so far apart? The simplest answer I can think to provide would be to start over. There is no going back to the way the world functioned before the pandemic. The only way we can make it through this is for every individual person to try. We need to be trying to do our part and take care of those around us by wearing masks, social distancing, washing hands, and getting vaccinated, but we also need to do our part in educating. To move forward on your own without helping those around you understand or even see the other perspective, makes a person just as bad as those who don’t make any effort at all.
So it is with all of this that I say to whoever it may concern, do your part. Don’t be the reason someone loses a loved one. Spread knowledge, not the virus.
