We are on our own!

We are on our own!

Q. Who do you think will survive the pandemic?

A. Two types of people will survive this pandemic.

1. Those who are lucky to have the right genetic makeup; and

2. Those who have smart minds who can learn from others' mistakes and act accordingly.

During my public health course at Harvard, I heard a phrase several times in the context of academic positions " Each tub on its own bottom". It appears that it applies to all lives now.

It is up to us whether we will remain safe or not.

Instead of blaming leadership or anyone else, it is the time to be a meta leader and a meta-follower. 

We are living in this world where leadership has taken an interesting turn. It has come to individual or group interests and not the national or global interest. There are conflicts of interests and goal misalignment between the two making it almost inevitable to have the general public health and interest get ignored.

It is up to us to not go to crowded places. If everyone does that, there will be no crowd.

It is up to us to wear a mask. If everyone does that there will be a decrease in the spread of the pandemic.

It is up to us to frequently sanitize or wash our hands. If everyone does that they will save themselves from getting infected to a great extent and prevent the spread.

It is up to us to tell ourselves to believe the facts and science and not just mere words of comforts pushing us to denial.

If we think of it, we are living in an era of maximal comfort. If any era was ever well equipped to handle a turmoil like this, it is this era. There is an advanced science, technology, and enormous resources to tackle tough situations.

It is up to us what we can make of it.

When we drive a car, it is said that one should not just watch for avoiding mistakes at one's end but should also keep a margin to prevent other people's mistakes. Then only one will be able to prevent accidents from happening. It is taking responsibility for the occurrences around us and the consequences related to them. Not everyone is smart. So smart people will have to take more responsibility.

A very wise friend always says, "There is a very fine line between bravery and stupidity." Smart people don't do stupidity, they are just brave.

For example, attending COVID parties is stupidity. Working on the front end in the COVID ward, or being a front line worker is bravery.

Depending on sheer luck is stupidity. Depending on science and data and taking appropriate measures is a demonstration of intelligence and smartness.

Denial doesn't change the fact. 

Let's face this crisis collectively and beat the virus to its grave.

Jaya Sonkar MD MPH

7.13.2020

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