Judging social media it seems that quite a handful of people are sitting in ordered or self-imposed quarantine and favour the social media world with their plights, tribulations and realizations – like warriors in a battle, not shying away from posting all the horror headlines and predictions making their sacrifice of self-containment even more worthwhile. Watching streamed TV from Germany every real and wannabe star feels the urge to post videos with the “I am ok” messages as if the world is really desperately waiting for it.
It reminds me of the many World Aids Conferences, where the only badge to wear and being applauded for is for many speakers to be HIV positive.
I never got it, and I am not sure I get it now.
We know that 60-70% of the population will be infected by the virus and for most of them, it will be like the normal flu or even less, the virus will pass by – especially young people and this might be the blessing for South Africa. A different story are the elderly and those whose immune system is already strong compromised – and here solidarity is needed to protect them. But is this not something what should be normal to do? Without big words and gestures?
As Africans, the principal of ubuntu, the knowledge that there is a dependency which grants life to be lived to the fullest spells already out to have that practical compassion and avoid any situation where the most vulnerable are being brought into the danger zone. Here again, this African spirit of connectivity could be an example for the rest of the world demonstrating values which might have to be gained and learned again in other countries. The implicitness of solidarity and compassion is a gift this continent, which produced the first humans could pass on to the world.
Covid-19 is a chance to get back to our roots of humanity – and the pure fact that normal human behaviour has to be pointed out – or even in Europe more and more enforced – shows how much the world has lost its moral compass. Covid-19 will come and go – and it is up to us to learn the lessons provided to us – every threat is also a challenge. So let’s pass this test, score all positive points possible and together make the world a better place.
Filed under: Africa, Reflection, Society and living environment, South Africa, Uncategorized, Covid-19, pandemic, ubuntu
God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE 