In the initial phase, Phase 1 of this Pandemic, there was so much news about a rare Viral pneumonia in Wuhan, China. Then came the news of infections on the Diamond Princess ship. At that time, the source of infection was unknown or ‘foreign’. The way epidemics unfold is similar to a social drama. The earliest signs are subtle. Most of the time clues go ignored because of the need to protect economic interests; until the acceleration of illness  or deaths forces governments to reluctantly acknowledge.

Not much was known about Covid 19 in the early stages. It was thought that only infected people got sick with symptoms. Due to the contagiousness of the virus, they were capable of contaminating surfaces or potentially infecting other persons. Anyone could be susceptible, anywhere (irrespective of age, nationality, or whatever occupations people were in)! 

As it unfolded globally, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that Covid-19 was officially a Pandemic. By that time, it had reached 114 countries in three months and infected over 118,000 people. 

Governments initiated nationwide actions. Hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, social distancing measures came into practice. Countries closed borders. In many countries, increased testing (including those showing no symptoms), found that a significant percentage of the population may be silent carriers (the blue circle) of the infection. It was also found that the highly infective stage of the virus began even was before the symptoms appeared. This suggests that a significant percentage of the population may have already been exposed to the infection. This could also point to the fact that when restrictions are lifted, the virus could re-emerge.

Our lives have changed so quickly. In the past several months, we are no longer travelling to workplaces. Our children are being home schooled, food is takeaway, or we are forced to cook our meals more and more. Many are home alone with immediate families, socially isolated, financially insecure, and emotionally drained. Even neighbors are greeted from a distance. Amazon’s prime delivery, “at your door step with a click of a button”, that we took for granted also came to a halt. Nothing is the same. Nothing seems normal. 

How we choose to come out of the current crises totally depends on us. Perhaps, it is a reminder for us to express our humanity in the face of one’s fragile existence. Perhaps, it is a reminder that no military power nor economic power can stop a Pandemic. Perhaps, it is telling us that human health and the health of the Planet go hand in hand, together. A global tragedy of this scale is reminding us how interconnected we are; how interdependent we are. 

History teaches us that epidemics eventually get resolved over a period of time. Perhaps because of actions that societies adopt; perhaps because there will be no more supply of susceptible individuals once vaccines and treatments emerge. This same drama is unfolding with Covid-19. This too will use up some space and duration, revealing a curve of revelations and tensions, finally drift into a closure. 

Anyone is susceptible during a pandemic. Despite this, there are committed sectors of society, who themselves though terrified, are braving and serving us. These are the silent saviors of humanity. Without them, fear, chaos, and illness would overwhelm our communities. We depend on them for our survival. 

This pandemic has highlighted the role of hundreds of doctors, nurses and those supporting them. Some took the sickness home with them and unknowingly and infected their loved ones. Some are no longer with us. Then there are those who work clearing rooms that belonged to the dead. They gather their belongings quickly and take them away in clear plastic bags. Soon another attendant comes in to disinfect every surface, wiping away any trace of the person and the virus; so that the waiting infected patient can come in. These workers have to keep the sick in their rooms, contain the virus, and hope they make it through. There is no orientation or training for these jobs. Think of the risks and conditions they endure day after day. 

The list is endless. Our postal workers, delivery personnel, supermarket vendors, people who produce and deliver what comes to our tables, drivers, police force, social workers, cleaners, retail associates, funeral parlor services, internet, gas, water, electricity providers, even those who provide support during these times of heightened domestic violence! It may appear that they are just doing their job; in reality, they are risking their lives to serve us. And these are not high paying jobs too! 

Essential workers are vital to a ‘living’ society. We need to acknowledge their services. Without them, we will not be able to sustain ourselves; we will not have the privilege of staying indoors. 

Anyone is susceptible to the infectious nature of habits, good or bad! Practice of personal and social hygiene in the form of distancing from unwanted infectious company is the message here (gray colored circle). In this regard, social distancing messages (from infectious disease specialists) should be interpreted as keeping communities safe from associations that may pose a threat rather than contributing to our strength. 

Social hygiene should be interpreted as a behaviour where there is no need for physical touch between two individuals to show mutual gratitude, respect, inclusiveness and integrity. Scientifically, this also serves to minimise disease transmission and inhibit the spread of germs. 

The word ‘quarantine’ comes from the Italian word Quaranta giorni which means 40 days. In the olden days, quarantine was imposed for communicable diseases. Quarantine was also practiced during events such as birth and death. These events called for social interactions with higher chances of contamination. During childbirth, it was deemed necessary to protect the immuno-compromised mother and baby from any possible contamination. The same principle is followed today - a pre-mature infant is kept in isolation in an incubator, until the infant becomes ready for the outside environment.

The red colored circle depicts people who exhibit symptoms. These are persons who strive to be part of organizations or institutions that work towards a common cause for the betterment of humanity through working on ‘their own selves.’ Working in groups, these people exhibit symptoms of positive contagiousness – either by quarantining themselves (orange circle) to bring out Human Excellence (achieve recovery – white circle) or by working with like-minded experienced persons (under medical supervision – green circle) who are shining examples in society. The goal of all human birth is Human excellence, meaning bringing the best out of each one of us (both in white circles). 

Very often, the silent carriers (blue circle) are overlooked. These are the silent workers. There is no ‘show’ in what they do; they do not openly speak about it. They do not exhibit any outward symptoms of performing spiritual/service activities. In fact, the individual ‘sadhana’ of these silent workers often goes unnoticed. They continue their good work either in seclusion or sometimes in the company of likeminded individuals (green circle) depending on the scale of the projects they are involved in. These silent, hard workers continuously strive to bring out their best, thereby working towards Human Excellence. The Pandemic has highlighted this by showing to us the good work done by so many invisible sectors of society. 

Simply put, being born a Human Being, this pandemic is reminding us to be shining examples of ‘Being’ Human.