We Can All Get Together to Defeat This Pandemic
Let's not make it longer and more painful.
The human body is a biological wonder, interconnected through nerves to the brain, our motherboard computer. It seems that with consciousness, we control our behavior.
We educate our sense of right and wrong through our growth in life. That gives us free will to do whatever we want, as long as we walk the line of not causing harm to ourselves and others.
With a set of beliefs and free will, we act according to our thoughts. However, although nature seems perfect, living beings are not because we live encapsulated in a biological body vulnerable to bacteria that create diseases and, sadly, aging.
Speaking of bacteria
Bacteria create, by natural chemistry, lethal viruses that harm all organisms. Our most extraordinary evolutionary development has been intelligence (consciousness). We discover, interpret, and seek the best way to defend ourselves against diseases with our intelligence.
That gives us the great responsibility to take care of ourselves and watch over flora and fauna. Above all, the planet.
A very deadly virus has recently attacked us. In response, we accelerated our understanding of the seriousness of the matter and acted quickly to defend ourselves. We’ve used science and technology to our advantage.
But although science and technology, for some, seem complicated to understand, we resort to something as simple to protect ourselves as surgical masks.
Governments made the use of masks mandatory. It was our first defense measure.
But what happened, our different character forms came to light.
We all perceive the world differently.
Everyone had a different way of perceiving the current situation, influenced by the government’s source of information based on scientific statistics.
Everyone started throwing their tantrum by raising conspiracies based solely on their point of view. They blamed the governments for being manipulative and treating the virus as a simple hoax.
That made me realize something; “people do not like being told what they must do, even for their sake.”
Although the river is dragging us down, we prefer to swim against the current, supporting our point of view. We become stubborn defending our beliefs.
All of this caused a clash between those who follow the government’s mandates and those who do not believe in the seriousness of the situation.
Blessedly or unfortunately
A friend helped me get a job during the pandemic when I was on the brink of returning to the shelter. Due to the pandemic, I found myself in that position for uncontrollable reasons. It would have been the worst-case scenario after six years of coming out of homelessness and alcoholism.
It was life or death for me; back to the shelter environment or take the job offered. I put it that way because it was a cashier job, I had no experience on it, and it was dangerous for me to go back to where I came from.
I said to myself, sighing, “I hope the load straightens along the way,” and I took the cashier job.
Every shift I went to work was like going to the front line. I felt a moody atmosphere from people protesting wearing masks in the store.
Many entered the store with only their faces covered with a scarf or bandana — ultimately with their shirt raised to the mouth level. We had to confront them and call their attention to use the suitable mask, which caused significant confrontations.
I felt pressured to learn the job and deal with the customer’s attitude, which made me more nervous. It was constant oppression. It didn’t matter how many signs saying “wear a mask in the store” were on the walls; most people acted like wild ponies.
I was relieved to leave work only to be struck by the bus driver’s attitude. I did not understand why his posture was rigid until someone tried to get on the bus without a mask. That driver did have a militant voice and attitude — “NO MASK, NO RIDE.”
“Wow,” I thought to myself:
“I, who have a peaceful temperament, don’t think I can take that rigid stance in my job.” It made me feel the many workers who take jobs out of necessity and not their own accord.
Like it or not, our needs have to be met, and we try to blur working conditions.
As I got off the bus, I headed towards the pharmacy only to find a line of twelve people spanning half a block due to the six feet gap between them. Taped to the wall, it reminded me of the lines I made to eat or go to the bathroom in the shelter.
Two people walked end to end. They were counting people and correcting the use of the mask. “OVER YOUR NOSE, PLEASE,” with a military tone.
No wonder why people feel oppressed by all these pandemic mandates.
That’s why people have developed a harsh attitude. Wherever people go, they’re squirming by so many restrictive measures.
And, who are the ones who receive the impact of these harmful attitudes?
Those who work in customer service and the health system— the front line.
Employers don’t give the necessary training to deal with this current situation in our jobs, much less have the character to control the customers. All of this is new to everyone. The only thing they warn us about is demanding masks and keeping the six feet safety distance — no psychology training on how to deal with difficult people.
to summarize:
We all perceive the world differently, and to give importance or validity to our point of view, we drag others with our opinion. Either in the right direction or with malicious intentions.
As a worker at the front of the necessary services
I only ask for understanding. No pain lasts a hundred years, nor is there anyone who can endure it that long.
If we resurface from the 1918 pandemic without the technology and science we have now, it is only a matter of time for the waters to calm down again.
Just be calm and patient, and remember, we’re only doing our job.
Thanks for reading.
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