What we should learn from the Corona Virus

What we should learn from the Corona Virus by Amar Kulkarni

Why will we be better off as a society once we are out of this and learn from our experience? The key point here is to understand the seriousness of this situation, be cautiously optimistic, but ensure we learn from our situational experiences and experiences of others. Ultimately, we are not victims of our circumstances, we are victims of our response to our circumstances. Our mindset will keep us sane, our trust in our health practitioners will guide us and self-isolation will keep us safe. Let’s be courageous and responsible during this difficult time.

1.     Plan Better. Microbes are the new threat to humanity not missiles or wars, it has the capability to global epidemic (Bill Gates, 2015). We should be better prepared through investments tools, training, health care practitioners and infrastructure. Key to getting through any epidemic is not just curbing and eliminating illness, though that is the primary focus, it will be to learn from our mistakes. Let’s better forecast outcomes and be better prepared now and in the future.

2.     Markets are unpredictable. We live in a Capitalistic, market-driven society where production and consumption are the normal. We over produce and over consume, so the markets are not a true representation of “real demand” and “real supply”. If a commodity such as price of gas is predicted to go down 20% tomorrow, then traders will drive that price down but what happens when tomorrow comes, the day of the prediction? The markets are NOT predictable. Don’t get attached.

3.     Slow Down. We are definitely in a rat-race and live every day as a shopping list or things to complete. Many folks are scared to be alone or haven’t spent time to really understand the self. This is our perfect chance to SLOW DOWN, experience and accept SOLITUDE, while we learn more about ourselves.

4.     Stay Calm. Fear is natural during extreme circumstances. Though we remain in incubation, does not mean we need to be isolated. It is easy to become self-isolated mentally though we only need to be self-isolated physically. Challenge the mind, listen to others, talk to people and stay calm.

5.     Back to basic needs. Humans have basic needs that are essential (MASLOW’s hierarchy of needs). Though we regularly forget: physiological and safety are key pillars and we take these for granted when threatened. We live in a luxury-driven and non-essential market we buy more than we essentially need. Let’s bring focus and appreciation for our human essentials – our personal hygiene, the food supply, the health care system and our critical services. 

6.     Give more, take less. Greed is an enemy to humanity and counterproductive to what we need to do during an epidemic. Stocking up toilet paper or over buying food is the opposite of what we should be doing but understandably people are scared and addressing “security”. Let’s think outside of the box. I know I have lots of canned foods that needs to get finished and have other options than wiping my behind with paper. Donate what you don’t need.

7.     Food Wastage. We have been throwing out food and food supply chains have had an opportunity to improve their wastage for years since the agricultural and industrial revolution. This is a perfect opportunity to plan better and RATION food as we produce, transport, share and consume. Instead of overbuying lets eat well and plan for what we really need.

8.     We are all equals. Religion and Nations have no protective isolation against Covid19. We are equally susceptible to this epidemic. No one country or one religion can protect us, only we can learn to protect ourselves. No borders or faith. In this time, our health care professionals are our gurus, not our pundits or necessarily our leaders (Trump), lets follow their lead and not overburden the health care facilities.

9.     Be Content with a Lack of Control. We have control of our decisions but not of our destiny. We live and practice free will, however, in the grand scheme of things we lack control. Though faith can give us a nice feeling of fate, in the end we need to learn that we may shape our fate but not influence the outcomes. We have control only to a certain degree. Key is to be content with the time we have and make the most of it with the people we love.

10.  Surrender. Humans are not Invincible, we have built up expectations that humans are God-like, though we pray to human-like forms of God, we as society will come and go as the dinosaurs once did. The universe will go on and death is certain. The sooner society appreciates this truth, the better off we will be. Even if we designed away to cheat life – extend it, live forever, there will still be misery and jealousy. At a certain point, surrendering is the ideal. 

11.  Self-reflection and Meditation. This is an opportunity that has presented itself, though through extreme circumstances to learn about ourselves and break off unneeded habits. To become more productive and grow through the circumstances. Now is not the time to be scared, but to look inward and grow.

12.  Technology as a means to bring us together. Evolution of technology will now surpass the evolution of man. We can leverage the tools and technologies that allow us to collaborate effectively, learn about the world and ourselves and the flood gates will open to opensource and free software and rightfully so. There is a huge role for technologies to continue to help us evolve as a better society. Zoom and House Party are examples of apps that have taken off and allowed us to feel connected. Fitness apps are taking a new life. AI in corporate landscape and automation in processes and jobs will take on a new growth curve and accelerate as we move to a fully eligible remote working style. We will realize our independence and interdependence to technology at the same time. We will be better collaborators and inventors because of it.

13.  Reinvent Work and Family. This is an interesting time to balance work and home. The lines are blurred but work life balance has always been an essential cause, our hands are now forced. Life is not work or family or individual needs, it is mosaic of all of the above and now we get to practice our lives as such. Consider it a blessing to spend more time with family.

14.  Transform Animals and Resources Consumption: 96% of the worlds biomass is made up of humans and live stock (cows, pigs,..). As the agricultural revolution move into the industrial revolution into consumerism, we have forgotten our peers that live in natural habitats. We have come to degrade our living conditions and hunted without just cause. This is the perfect time to reduce this behaviour and let the natural resources, animals and nature re-flourish.

15.  Save the Earth and Environment: Given the isolation of individuals and reduction in travel, we have seen immense improvements to the ecosystems of animals – clear water and dolphins reappearing in Venice, the reduction of emissions and reduction in pollution and litter. The Earth is able to breathe a sigh of relief and in the long-term, our civilizations will be better because of it.

16.  Live for your values and principles. Humans have evolved but not necessarily for the longer term but for the short-term gain. Though we have more money or land or positions, we have taken a step back on our spiritual path. Humans have through our history built up strong empires, societies but for what good? What good is wealth if we don’t have health? I have come to terms that values, principles and discipline will help growth and self-mastery which are more essential than wealth. 

17.  Level our expectations. The media has caused self-inflected wounds since the last decade. From fake news to raised individual expectations of their physical looks, mental capacity and relationships. There is no such thing as a perfect solution or perfect person. Happiness is tied to expectations. As I learned the less we expect, the easier it is to be content. 

18.  Help Others and Community. As we self-isolate in this time of need. The front lines (health care workers, food industry and energy suppliers) are not the only ones that need to work long and hard to keep us with the basics. We can all play a part, smartly. Use technology to help your clients. Do something for someone that you were procrastinating. Give time, give advice, give something for free. Cook for your family. Spend time with close ones through video. Keep in touch and help others. Check in with others. Even though we are required to self-isolate doesn’t mean that we cannot give. On the contrary, don’t be scared to: Think Differently. Give more. Live better.

We WILL get through this.  This is the time more than ever, where a positive mindset is important to get us through the days. We will looked upon to think differently, BE BRAVE, to adjust and adapt our working, family and social lives as they become flipped over and streamlined to digital – BE ADAPTIVE. As a society, we need to listen and follow our health care advisors and trust their guidance. Let’s take care of ourselves and loved ones through personal hygene, social distancing and helping those in need. We will get through this as human civilization has overcome it before. This time, hopefully, we will take our learnings with us.