Hi,
Nothing brings out the worst, and the best of us, like a public health threat. The unfolding of the coronavirus health crisis has demonstrated how these two impulses define how we organise ourselves into a functioning society.
The worst of us is the impulse to think that our safety and wellbeing must come at the expense of other people. It makes sense that this is some people’s first reaction, to look out for themselves and their own. We hoard toilet paper and non-perishable goods in anticipation of a lockdown, without a thought for those who don’t have the means to purchase in bulk. We make decisions that go against advice to stay home and not travel because we find it difficult to let go of our own interests. We find ways of framing the panic as an overreaction, even a conspiracy, if it means we get to carry on with our lives as normal.
Governments act in this way too as they attempt to avoid economic shocks. "Milan carries on", tweeted the mayor of the city two weeks ago. The hashtag #milanononsiferma which translates as "Milan won’t stop", went viral in the country. As cases of the virus multiplied, it became clear that Milan does indeed, stop, and so the city went into lockdown.
It is counterintuitive, but the only way we can advance our own individual wellbeing is by promoting that of the groups of individuals we are part of. The spread of the virus shows that it’s in every community’s interest to stay healthy. In a globalised world, no community can barricade itself against it, no matter how much hand sanitiser we stockpile.
Better Politics is about reminding ourselves of that simple but difficult to practise principle: we thrive as individuals when we foster collective wellbeing, and not the other way round.
Having said that, we should also take a beat and remind ourselves that to support those around us, we have to be robust ourselves. We have all been thrown into turmoil over the past few weeks, but the cloud of the virus weighs heavier on those who are sick, have lost loved ones or have other reasons to worry about their health. Take a minute and do something (or indeed, nothing) if that gives you some temporary relief. I certainly am.
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