The global and multiple effects of the coronavirus pandemics are so significant that is seems not so far-fetched to call it a “cornerstone” event for the civilization in its present form.
Maybe however, the true significance of this event is not its factual side but the way in which the civilization goes through that experience. In the present and few subsequent articles, the main focus will not be about what is the virus, how deadly it is or how contagious, where it originated etc. (even though those question cannot be completely skipped as a basis for further consideration). Instead we will try to answer how and why our experience of the situation is exactly what it is and why (possibly) it is different than other similar situations. Why do we feel so “shaken” both personally and collectively?
Let us start with some basics. What I am will write below I no way aims to belittle any aspect of the situation but rather to emphasize the fact that that the features of the situation by themselves are not something “unseen or unheard of”, that we have been face to face with similar situations before.
The virus is…just another disease
From scientific point of view every virus, bacteria or any other form of illness can be studied and described in various ways with their specificities and distinct features (e.g. their symptoms, means of transmission etc.).
On experiential level, however, the coronavirus as well as any other microorganism causing illness and even the aging process itself ultimately boil down to the same thing – disruption of the normal functioning of our body temporarily or permanently, which by itself or in combination with other causes can ultimately lead to a final halt.
In practical terms whatever ideas we may have as to the virus, whether we perceive it in a different way, whether we are more or less afraid of it is of absolutely no significance – it is just another companion as many other similar what are around us since our birth. Whether we see them or not, whether we pay attention to them, all those companions – all possible reasons of deterioration of our health and our eventual death are around us and have always been.
The coronavirus does not put us in any novel situation, nothing “new” that has not been previously there. The only difference is that under the current circumstances we have to look this companion in the eyes, not that it was not there before. The possibility to get sick from any possible disease, known or unknown, the possibility to be destroyed physically at any time and by any means – we were never free of that and will never be even for the fraction of a second. The virus does not make us more mortal than we used to be but just reminds us that we have always been such.
The purpose of the above short introduction in the topic on the coronavirus is to reject or at least reduce the perception of it as somewhat “objective” situation independent from us to which we are the helpless victims. As with anything else in life, everything boils down to our perceptions.
To be continued…
