Tonight, I went to the grocery store. I know, not the most original line for a piece, but it’s relevant, I swear. My husband and I needed some things; it was time for our weekly shop. Unfortunately, that errand fell today during the official declaration of Coronavirus (COVID-19)’s pandemic status and ultimately, the state of emergency in Massachusetts.
Now I knew it was not going to be fun, but what I experienced really got me thinking about my privilege level. I am admittedly, privileged. I’m white. I’m heterosexual. I live in a relatively crime-free area. I’ve paid off all of my student loans and so has my husband. Hate me yet?
I have all the struggles a normal person has…
Car loan.
I’m trying to find a home in the 350K range in a real estate market that has gone bananas.
Renting an apartment at astronomical rates.
Can’t finish the book I’m trying to write.
I’m getting kind of fat, but not doing anything about it.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
You know, the usual.
But what I saw at the grocery store and online was totally insane. The store was out of carts. They didn’t have hand soap in stock. People were openly hitting other people with carts. Said carts were piled high–so high that you couldn’t see the people behind them. A woman smiled at another woman, and the woman receiving the smile got mad at her...for nothing.
Halfway through my trip, I decided to shop for two to three weeks worth of groceries. I did this, not because I am afraid of a virus, but because I have a terminal aversion to dealing with mass hysteria. Sitting in the line, I realized then and there that I should be incredibly grateful. Grateful that my family has good credit. Grateful that I could put two to three week’s worth of supplies on my credit card.
Everyone has been incredibly focused on themselves as this virus has progressed. I get it. It’s a pandemic. I get it, you’re afraid of losing people you love. But please, for the love of all that is human, take a moment to consider that many people can’t afford a week’s worth of groceries in advance. Pause to realize that there are people who have jobs that cannot be done remotely. Each time you order a pizza, think about the fact that there is a person on the other end of the line who cannot afford to take time off.
Let me hit you with some facts:
“Influenza — known as the common flu — has infected as many as 45 million Americans since October and killed as many as 46,000, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” – Washington Post
“A virus outbreak that began in China nearly three months ago has now infected more than 1,000 people in the United States and killed 36.” – ABC News
“Overall, China CDC found, 2.3% of confirmed cases died. But the fatality rate was 14.8% in people 80 or older, likely reflecting the presence of other diseases, a weaker immune system, or simply worse overall health. By contrast, the fatality rate was 1.3% in 50-somethings, 0.4% in 40-somethings, and 0.2% in people 10 to 39.” – STAT
Take a minute to consider the math here. The flu is much more powerful than the Coronavirus to the general population due to it’s staying power (the flu will likely always remain in the mix). While numbers are spiking at the moment for COVID-19, it is entirely possible for us to get it under control. People are just freaking out because the flu is the enemy we know, and COVID-19 is the new threat on the block. A vaccine might get developed (if the world keeps working together). People could start washing their hands…there are options.
I fully believe that COVID-19 is something we can beat, or learn to live with. What I can’t personally learn to live with is a lack of thought toward those who can’t afford to “save themselves.”
Here are some thing you can do:
Donate food to a local pantry.
Volunteer in some way to help others.
Keep ordering food from a local restaurant.
If you don’t feel comfortable patronizing a business, order a gift card to keep them stable.
In general, if you are not high-risk, I think you should continue to patronize local businesses who have no choice, but to consider operating during “threat times.”
Just own that you are SO INCREDIBLY LUCKY!
I’m not trying to preach to you. All I'm saying is that we’ve been through SARS, MERS, Zika, and a plethora of other issues. Own your privilege and realize that things could be much worse and eventually this will end, with some worse off than others. Think about where you stand. We are not insular. We are global.