As the spread around the world accelerated and societies struggled to find an appropriate response one thing was abundantly clear. We are all equal in the path of a global viral pandemic.
We quickly began to view our communities as a singular entity. We became acutely aware that we are only as safe as our weakest link. If one gets sick they can pass it to one or many others causing a ripple effect. So we need to stop everyone from getting sick.
All of a sudden governments rallied to protect their health services, in the process elevating health care workers to a justified position of respect in society. Similarly the weakest and ironically most isolated members of our societies, the homeless, were viewed in a different light. Many countries solved an age old homelessness problem overnight, by providing safe shelter to all. People’s salaries were protected removing one stress of forced isolation. Healthcare for all almost became a reality. We got to spend lots of time with our families!
It started to feel like maybe there will be some silver linings to this horrific event. People singing on balconies, daily applause for front line staff, respect for the elderly, help thy neighbour attitude. These things happened and people felt them.
Would a residual effect be so bad?