One for All

It’s going on three years that the world has lived under the oppressive cloud of the Covid pandemic. Like most people, back in the early spring of 2020, I thought we would have to endure some inconveniences for a couple of months and then things would get back to normal. After all, modern medicine and American ingenuity would surely solve the problem, as had happened with most challenges we confronted in the past. How wrong I was.

     Not only did most of us fail to rise to the challenge, but Covid seemed to expose an ugly underside. Yes, heroic efforts were made by front line workers who continued to care for the sick despite knowing almost nothing about the new disease or how to combat it. They risked exposing themselves and their families for the health of their community. If only the rest of us exhibited a modicum of their courage and dedication.

     I suppose it was to be expected that the whole affair would become politicized. Many people were offended at the very thought of any personal sacrifice. Refusing to wear a mask became an act of defiance, an expression of “individual freedom.” The idea of doing something for the good of the community became something to scoff at, some kind of capitulation. Apolitical public health officials were tagged as enemies of freedom-loving patriots. A million American lives were lost in the meantime. Nevertheless, there are still many people who think that number is some contrived hoax thought up by the liberal media.

     And here we are, still mired in a stubborn and deadly virus that won’t go away. Is it something that we will just have to put up with forever? Is there any hope that America can once again find a common cause worthy of a little trust and personal sacrifice? I hope this crisis finally will pass and that we rediscover our humanity.