The clear mirror of COVID-19.
The mirror was invented so human beings could see their own reflection, as it is observed by others. It helps us see the blemishes we’d rather not think about but clearly visible to anyone who cares to look. The receding hairline, the pimples, the uneven teeth, the wrinkles. Once we see them, we can do something to improve the image, make corrections.
Every now and then the human species is given an opportunity, usually self-created, to observe itself, with all the blemishes it never wanted to see. The current pandemic is one of the best global mirrors I have ever seen. It was brought into focus for me by the designation of working citizens into ‘essential’ and ‘non-essential’ categories. Essentials are those who are needed to provide us with food and shelter, heat and light, medical aid and clean water. Half a dozen that we need for comfortable survival. They are a small minority of the work force.
The ‘non-essentials’ are those who produce Barbie dolls, e-cigarettes, 'monetary instruments', pawn shops and skyscrapers. I would have added weapons of mass destruction, but I hesitated because recently the American President designated gun manufacturers and gun retail stores “essential part of critical infrastructure”.
This mirror shows us, with blinding clarity, what is, and isn’t, essential. What we should support with all of our resources, all of our energies. The rest is luxury at best, harmful and destructive props for our addiction to some aspect of the domination game human beings have indulged in since the dawn of civilization.
The least you could expect from a sane species would be valuing their essential workers by giving them everything they need for their task and well-being. Instead we see them working long and hard hours, often even without protective gear or adequate tools, while many of them worry about being able to pay the rent and feed their kids. At the same time useless parasites of our super rich wallow in obscene luxury.
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?
PS. As the 'other' Donald (Rumsfeld) said to the soldier who complained about lack of equipment: "You go to war with the army you have, not the army you might want". At least the current Donald (Trump) has not insulted the nurses and doctors yet in a similar way (to the best of my knowledge)
Every now and then the human species is given an opportunity, usually self-created, to observe itself, with all the blemishes it never wanted to see. The current pandemic is one of the best global mirrors I have ever seen. It was brought into focus for me by the designation of working citizens into ‘essential’ and ‘non-essential’ categories. Essentials are those who are needed to provide us with food and shelter, heat and light, medical aid and clean water. Half a dozen that we need for comfortable survival. They are a small minority of the work force.
The ‘non-essentials’ are those who produce Barbie dolls, e-cigarettes, 'monetary instruments', pawn shops and skyscrapers. I would have added weapons of mass destruction, but I hesitated because recently the American President designated gun manufacturers and gun retail stores “essential part of critical infrastructure”.
This mirror shows us, with blinding clarity, what is, and isn’t, essential. What we should support with all of our resources, all of our energies. The rest is luxury at best, harmful and destructive props for our addiction to some aspect of the domination game human beings have indulged in since the dawn of civilization.
The least you could expect from a sane species would be valuing their essential workers by giving them everything they need for their task and well-being. Instead we see them working long and hard hours, often even without protective gear or adequate tools, while many of them worry about being able to pay the rent and feed their kids. At the same time useless parasites of our super rich wallow in obscene luxury.
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?
PS. As the 'other' Donald (Rumsfeld) said to the soldier who complained about lack of equipment: "You go to war with the army you have, not the army you might want". At least the current Donald (Trump) has not insulted the nurses and doctors yet in a similar way (to the best of my knowledge)
No comments have been added yet.
