Prudence in Pandemic Times

Empty escalators as everyone stays at home.

Prudence In Pandemic Times

By Lim Jinn

Updated 15 July 2020 During this coronavirus pandemic, confined individuals around the globe have begun realizing the importance of interacting with one another. Despite technological advancements that allow us to interact with one another, we are still limited by screens. This barrier of glass limits us from connecting, touching, and forming that physical bond, barring us from the emotional and psychological link that we get when we interact in a tangible environment. We yearn for social interaction. It is natural for us to seek out others, to work out things together, and to enjoy spending time with our friends. Our society consists of us as individuals coming together. Seeking solitude is not common in the world we live in. In fact, we loathe being alone in this universe so much that we actively search for extraterrestrial intelligence. This coronavirus pandemic highlights the importance of unity, not reacting but responding with prudence. Call for Unity History has taught us that two are better than one. Wars were won with allies. To overcome this coronavirus pandemic, we have to be united, working towards a common goal. We, as a society, can no longer be individualistic, rather it is time to be empathetic. For if we are egoistic, looking out only for ourselves, who will be there to lift us when we fall.

This epidemic has revealed many flaws in leadership and organizational skills in governing bodies, from masks to lockdowns. However, besides the habitual blaming, what else could we do? We live in a democratic society in which we as the people have the right to air our opinions and to have a say in things. This right comes hand in hand with the responsibility to exercise it with restraint. Constructive criticism at this time is necessary, but doing our part is important as well. To criticize others while ignoring our’s faults is hypocritical and extremely uncalled for. Reacting As this coronavirus pandemic plays out, new information is continually being released, and we can observe the ugly side of many individuals. Many are quick to align themselves with their biases, acting on them, pushing their responsibility away, coercing others to support their cause, and demonstrating the inherent evilness of human nature. It is important for us to examine our biases, analyzing them to see if they are still relevant.

The simple one is quick to judge, quick to condemn, but unwilling to take responsibility. Social media opens many opportunities to the temptation for people to react, judge, condemn, and to offer many opinions. The prudent sees the temptation that is coming and avoids it. He stays away from making statements that elicit reaction. Rather, he responds with love. He responds with wisdom. As opposed to being bombastic, the prudent realizes there is a time to speak and a time to remain silent. The Response During this trying times, the concept of loving our neighbors is clearer than ever. Our neighbors range from the front-line health care workers and leaders of our nation, to our literal neighbors. However, many of us, who are confined in our homes, find it difficult to love those whom we call family. It is easy for us to show appreciation to the front-line health care workers, but much harder to appreciate our family members. For many, being together with your family in a confined environment for long periods is a breeding ground for disagreements and arguments. This pandemic is a period of trials, a time of testing of patience, maturity, and prudence. Would we lay down our lives for another? For the egocentric individual, it is hard to even entertain this thought. Perhaps some might consider this. But exactly how powerful would this love have to be for one to declare it to such an extreme.

Thankfully, it is not necessary to demonstrate your love to the extreme of dying for someone. A simple act of love would suffice. An act of love that produces an exponential viral growth, rivaling that of the virus. We know that we are called to love others. However, too many of us, loving others does not come naturally, especially when we are not reciprocated. We give excuses, saying we have struggles in our lives, that we distrust others. Frankly, we are selfish creatures. The devil in us loves to see us struggle, to see us sow discord among ourselves, to see us fight among ourselves, and to watch us slowly destroy ourselves.

Thus, we are simple-minded fools, inherently unable to love others. Perhaps, it is only through providence that we can gain the strength and power to abound in love for one another, responding to this pandemic with unity, prudence, and love. Only when our society develops and embraces this core tenet, will we then be able to say that together we have beaten this pandemic.