On COVID-19

Isn’t it freakish that something molecular can completely topple our social order with an ease only comparable to that of a nuclear fallout? How invested we were in looking out for the next terrorist attack that we forgot, with an oversight so natural to us, about the enemies lingering on the palms of our hands. They never disappeared. Rather, they were conveniently ignored. Smudged from significance by our own self-assured eminence over nature, for we have science to contest it. Most people seem too distrait about manmade instruments; the likes of which can turn cities to craters, countries to mere holes on an atlas, and all its population to dust faster than which an eye can blink that nobody considers the true fragility of civilisation. And who can blame them? All of this is glaringly obvious: of course, a nuclear weapon could put our existence in jeopardy. But the twisted logic from which this conclusion arrives is most troubling. We assume its capacity to uproot our civil order because we made it. The deadliest of weapons are forged by human hands, assembled together to serve the function that we intended. Nothing can defeat us except ourselves, we say, hopeful to inspirit others to carry forward this false rhetoric. Even when an asteroid capable of ending our existence is on course for our planet, we barely so much as flinch, because we are unshakeably conceited in the toys available to us that not even a muscle must be exerted before it is blown out of space.

There seems to always be a solution. If a fleet of aliens landed on Earth tomorrow, nobody would budge in their crosshairs until they exercised a military might greater than our own. They would be made an online charade, even if they were yet to flex their dangerous capabilities. Why should we take them seriously anyway? After all, we are the superior race, nothing shy of unparalleled that everything at our feet is but a pet, who ought to bow its inferiority or else. If it should have the audacity to dare upset our established order, then our initial response comes as naturally as to breathe – kill. Squash it like a bug. When that fails, mass hysteria ensues. Herds of people empty supermarkets of their produce in such a panic that not once do they regard those that need it most dearly. They instead pile over one another to reach the food shelves, without thought for anyone but themselves. The elderly couple, whose contribution during the war effort enabled millions to survive, are nudged aside by a paunchy excuse of a woman, all for the last tin of baked beans. Her only claim to which is her nimbleness and even that is lacking. Had that tin been on the bottom shelf, I would have taken pleasure in watching her belly obstruct her selfishness. We are so unconditioned to being mastered that any such occurrence warrants for the abandonment of dignity, only compounded by the sheer fact that acts of civility and kindness are rewarded when they ought to be expected. Times like these speak volumes of human character. Charity is applauded for no other reason than its rarity under such circumstances. The rotten cores of human existence are exposed; selfishness bares its ugly grin and the dismal colours of individualism take shape amid the chaos. We set about our business seemingly entitled to our authority. No less than dictators of the universe, holding it for ransom.

            Say what you must about our vast growth in understanding, it makes us no less pregnable to even the smallest of threats. Speaking of which, each threat to survival should stand as a stark reminder that we are not all as stable as we appear, and yet we sleepwalk onwards nevertheless ignorant of anything that may capsize our dominion. The very foundations upon which social order balances can be overturned much easier than hoped. When one domino falls, the rest come falling not long thereafter. I mean, look what can happen with a Chinese wet market and a few bats? All of a sudden, everyone and their mums are stockpiling toilet roll. This widespread panic is a response to our newfound vulnerability. We are spoon-fed security by our world leaders to the extent where we think ourselves to be bulletproof. Nothing can stop us! Then all sense of moral order goes strangely amiss at the first signs of weakness. Worse yet, by a foe that can only be seen from under a microscope. So much for superiority, ey? If that weren’t enough, we even act astounded by the fact that nature has managed to outwit us again with an ingenuity beyond our scientific understanding. What exactly did we expect? For it to curl itself into an absent ball and stay quiet? The abuse of our planet is so that it was never going to lay quashed under our boots for long until it answered in kind. It just so happened to come in the guise of a virus. But it could have delivered its reprisal in whichever manner it deemed appropriate. Its arsenal is so extensive that it was probably spoilt for choice. Yellowstone could have erupted. The sea levels could have rose unexpectedly high. However unlikely, a disaster like something out of a John Wyndham novel could have come to pass. Even so, that should not distract from the fact that we bully our planet of its resources, and treat nature with the irresponsibility of a child who does not yet know right from wrong. Animals are slaughtered and hung from their necks by grappling hooks to bleed dry, while their families wait for the same inevitable fate. There is no decency in death. We somehow feel entitled to execute these poor things so that our stomachs remain full.

       However, it does not stop there. Such is our insolence that eating is no longer for survival purposes, but has instead been overtaken by utter greed, courtesy of global food service retailers that inspire a mode of consumption which might otherwise not exist. I suppose, one way or another, we all endorse this attitude at least unconsciously. This is not so much a matter of expanding waistlines, though it contributes to my point, but about taking in general. Enough with the exploitation! It is time to give back. With this virus at large, it’s a perfect opportunity to critique our own habits and accept that we are part of the problem. Yes, we can’t help existing but it’s how we exist that truly matters. By giving nature its due respect, it will do so in return. Okay, it cannot guarantee perpetuity but it certainly will extend our welcome aboard this beautiful planet so another few generations can share the privilege. But if history is anything to go by then it stands to reason that humanity’s general rationale will not change, for we are stubborn animals. To anyone willing to suggest even the remotest change in our conventional way of doing things, prepare to be either ignored or palmed aside as an anarchist. 

On an entirely separate note, my sincere condolences go out to anyone who has suffered at the hands of this invisible enemy. To those who have lost loved ones, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Hopefully my article can be proven wrong in the forthcoming months, and humanity can work together to push aside its bad traits so we defeat this virus. For that to be accomplished, I must pay thankfulness to all NHS staff workers, police officers, delivery drivers, teachers, supermarket staff and the many other incredible people out there. Though this article is incredibly dim, these are the shining lights of our society in whose absence nothing would be possible. Let's hold our heads high during these pressing times - just so long as it is indoors.