COVID-19, fear and working together

In the 2017 film, Going in Style, Michael Caine’s character found himself in the midst of a bank heist. As he handed his wallet to the robber, the masked thief gave it back to him, telling the old man, “It is a culture’s duty to take care of its elderly”. I’d like to extend that sentiment: it’s a culture’s duty to take care of its most vulnerable.

While taking care of each other should always be society’s primary goal, it is particularly salient now. We are entering unprecedented times: cities and provinces have been implementing drastic measures to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Canada has just announced that it will close its borders to most foreign nationals.

It seems that the world is standing still. We are holding our collective breaths, waiting… waiting for something. And this waiting can make us feel helpless, especially when it comes to social and community involvement. Sometimes, it feels that it is every person for themselves, which risks us becoming selfish, xenophobic, and violent.

So what can we do? Can we practice peace in times of what may feel like a world war with a virus? Can we be socially engaged without putting our health at risk?

Yes, we can. In fact, we can do so without compromising our health. Here are several strategies to help you navigate this brave new world and to practice peace and help to quell fear.

1. It’s okay to admit that the situation is

The situation is disconcerting and concerning, and admitting that is okay. The disease is new and there are many unknowns, and we are often afraid of the unknown. But when we start letting fear take over our lives, we begin to panic, which can lead to misinformation, stereotyping, and discrimination. However, by admitting that the situation is scary, we take first important step in controlling our responses and ultimately, controlling our panic.

2. Get the facts

Ah…. the Internet. It’s a place that allows us all to connect with others, to learn about the world, and to discover new ideas. It is also a hotbed for misinformation that spreads faster that Ellen’s Oscar photo. It’s the latter that can be dangerous as it can hinder doctors and experts from doing their jobs to flatten the curve and protect our most vulnerable. When we educate ourselves from credible and expert sources, we not only protect ourselves and avoid prejudices, but we also do our part in combatting this global virus.The facts from the WHO, the Canadian and Quebec governments, and the CDC all suggest the same: everyone—regardless of health and age—should stay at home. At the very least, everyone should be practicing social distancing (2 meters); washing hands thoroughly and frequently; self-isolating if feeling unwell; covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze; and don’t touch your face. We don’t just avoid exposing ourselves, but we can also protect others.

As for Sandy Plankton’s claim that this is a global conspiracy or that the virus is no big deal? Let me point out that for as long as there have been governments, there have been complaints about governmental inefficiency. These claims contribute to the general panic, diminish the severity for concern, and hinder the efforts of our doctors, nurses, and front-line workers. Don’t be like Sandy Plankton.

3. Stop Discrimination

Words and terms matter. One of the ways to combat fear and stigma is to call the virus by its proper name. It’s either COVID-19 or the coronavirus. It’s not the “Chinese” or “Asian” disease. This is racist and spreads discrimination. By further perpetuating these discriminatory terms, we are creating stigma, which could cause people not to seek medical treatments and further endanger themselves. The WHO has an excellent article on how to properly discuss COVID-19 without spreading stigma.

Be cautious about the memes and images you share. It’s not only important to make sure that they are factually correct, but that they do not inadvertently perpetuate stereotypes. Call out people who circulate harmful memes, which will demonstrate solidarity and also slow down the progression of discrimination.

4. Keep youself and loved ones healthy

By now, you already know what to do: wash your hands; cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze; social distancing; staying at home; and self-isolate if you feel unwell or if you have been advised to do so. However, this is not a punishment but a way to cooperate in order to slow the spread of the virus down. Because it is so new, and because we don’t know how it acts, it’s difficult to protect the most vulnerable around us. Is it boring? Yes. Is it frustrating? Sure. But is it necessary? Absolutely, and without question. By doing what we can control—that is, our actions—we are also mitigating the fear within and around us.

5. Practice (safe) social outreach

While many of us are healthy and can cautiously move around, many of us cannot. The elderly, the vulnerable, and those who were advised to self-isolate, are stuck. It becomes important to think of them in times like this. Like that scene in Going in Style, a society should take care of its own. We should reach out to those who need help, and even those who might not.

Check in with family, friends, and those who are vulnerable. A simple call or text can brighten up anyone’s day, but someone who has limited contact with the outside world, it can really provide strength and hope. Reach out and build a community.

If you know of anyone who is shut in, drop off groceries, books, or activities (always check with your local guidelines). In my community, people are having window conversations: those who can leave their homes will go for walks, stopping by the homes of those who cannot leave, who will then go to their windows and have a chat with their neighbours. A simple idea started by two children, this has blossomed into a daily event and is making the neighbourhood considerably more chatty (as a side note, I would suggest that one does not use “Hey, are you banned?” as an opener. It might work for a six-year-old, but probably not for anyone else).

Use technology to its fullest: Facebook groups are popping up, focusing on connecting those who are bunkering down with shared interests: art, music, online RPGs, fantasy football, and book clubs. For more ideas, read what these Montreal communities are doing here.

6. Be Inspired.

This is not to minimise the severity of COVID-19 whatsoever. It is a concerning virus; but sometimes, taking inspiration can help us combat fear. Already, China is seeing a drop of factory-produced nitrogen levels, and there is a decrease in carbon-emissions. If the shift of more people working mostly at home continues, we can expect these kinds of decline. All around the world, people are reaching out to each other to ease the isolation a bit: balcony singalongs in Italy to nightly opera streams to a free Dropkick Murphys concert from Boston to virtual exhibits and tours to free downloadable colouring books and free courses. While the pandemic has indeed brought out the worst in some people, it has also brought people together to work on the collective good that could very well reshape our world for the better.

If we all do our part, if we all work together, if we think about others, we can not only pull through this stronger than before but also change society: where the needs and health are placed as priority, where we are all working together. We have already proven that we can work together despite the restrictions placed on us, and we can continue to work together to improve our collective lives, by taking care of our own. Because that’s what we do.

So to you all, I wish you good health and bon courage. The Peace Centre will post links and articles on its website and Facebook page, everything on how we can be social while social distancing to simple activities. I know that we can pull through if we work together, emerging stronger and more compassionate than ever.

And remember: wash your hands.

Ildikó Glaser-Hille
Interim Programming Coordinator
Peace Centre