Is COVID-19 stretching our democratic fabric?

"That there is an invisible strength in a People's Union. That a People can endure an awful sacrifice and yet cohere. Might that at least save the idea of Democracy". Abraham Lincoln.

Our success in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic (without a vaccine) will not be determined by governments, health experts, politicians or businesses. Ultimately, individuals, cohering, following the best advice of health experts, will determine our successes or failures. 

Yet we witness repeated ignorance of health guidelines; sometimes wilful and flagrant breaches, from the younger members of our communities. This is not to judge them, but to explore how we all can contribute to our success in defeating COVID-19, minimising deaths and illness, returning economies to growth, strengthening democratic principles which have been to foundation to success of nations around the globe.

Perhaps we should recall that while COVID-19 kills the elderly and infirm, recent evidence suggests it also causes vascular damage to the hearts and brains of victims, sometimes requiring many months to recover.

Let us not fool ourselves; COVID-19 has introduced a New Normal. Until a vaccine is available (second half of 2021 is earliest projection) COVID-19 is the Rock upon which we may break ourselves. Or learn to manage, adapt.

The crunch will likely come, when successive outbreaks of COVID-19 create repeated shutdowns and lockdowns, destroying businesses, economic growth and employment opportunities. Some may ignore the COVID-19 Rock, attempting to re-open economies early, before health advice recommends. Nature can be cruel, human beings naive.

Individuals will need to remain coherent, in solidarity. Businesses agile, responsive to opportunities, managing threats. Government and health workers, brave and fearless. Our lawmakers and politicians, wise.

The democratic fabric of nations around the world may be stretched because of COVID-19. Our individual sense of personal responsibility, solidarity, respect and concern for others, will contribute to Health and Economic outcomes.

My suggestion to everyone is recognise the Rock before us; in a martial arts paradigm, adapt, roll with the blows. Head-on ignorance does not harm the COVID-19 Rock, just us.