An anonymous COVID reflection
In the last couple of weeks I’ve seen a shift, a change in the mentality of how we support each other. There is a real us versus them. I can do the right thing why can’t you? I’m doing it tough, why can’t you?
Those with masks on (us), masks off (them). Those who are vaxxed, (us) vs unvaxxed (them). Those kids staying home (us) vs kids playing at parks (them).
While I can safely lump myself in with the “us” crowd on all accounts, I fear for the “them” crowd.
That the true understanding of what it means to be one of “them” won’t hit home till they are in ICU needing a respirator.
And to be completely honest, I fear the possibilities of infection for my young kids because of “them”. As parents we are forced into a position to evaluate whether the risk is too high, and to take a hit on income because the COVID numbers are stacking up. Last year we took the hit, we suffered burnout and are still to recover from its savagery.
Yet one thought pops up, with the “them” as it seems of late, social media commentators are quick to pull out their sharp bladed knife-like attacks, ready for the kill, is that we’re all just people. Maybe it’s my naivety, or a hope, that each person is doing the best they can. And with every ‘them’, that maybe, just maybe, there is something more going on.
With that in mind, I wonder if we started the conversations, with “are you OK?”.
Instead of reprimanding ‘them’ for not abiding by the regulations that safeguard us all, would it be different?
I like to think we have a better chance of bringing them closer to us, closer to following the rules. Closer to stopping covids’ relentless reign over our lives. Just by talking to them, like us.
