Discipline in Time of a Pandemic

On whatever point in the spectrum of opinions you are in, I think we can agree on one reality; that is, the COVID-19 pandemic has caught brought profound unexpected changes in our live. Or maybe not.

The race to discover the vaccine against the SARS-COV2 virus and for the cure of COVID-19 is just starting with some experts claiming that vaccine will be ready in one and half years. Doctors, meanwhile, are re-purposing whatever anti-viral drugs are available in our pharmacological arsenal like those used to treat Ebola and Malaria because, as for now, these are all we got.

For the rest of humanity, our leaders have no other choice but to restrict our movements so that the virus will not spread beyond the capacity of the hospitals to accommodate patients, “flattening the curve” as they call it. As of now, many countries are slowly easing up their respective lockdowns but we are still faced with a stark reality that the SARS-COV 2 virus is still with us. There is the possibility that this might become part of the seasonal flu cycle until a vaccine is discovered. So, what do we have for our protection against the virus?

Social distancing.

Yesterday, I was watching about how airlines are trying to implement social distancing for air travel. They proposed so many ways, although they are not unanimous about it. Some authorities advocate the elimination of the middle seats. There are also proposals for mandatory use of face-masks inside the airplane and limiting the number of passengers. In terms of seat configurations, there are plans to reverse the seating position for the middle rows.

There were also suggestions concerning social distancing during check-ins, the elimination of the use of “self-check-in” machines, the disinfection of persons and bags, and rapid testing for anti-bodies before check-in. These are just a few of the myriads of other proposals. In other words, air travel will never be the same. It is almost similar, if not worse, to the cruise ship industry.

Workplaces and schools are also setting up their guidelines for the New Normal. The main aspects of this New Normal are social/physical distancing, limited face-to-face interactions, and hygiene, such as the washing of hands.

However, these social distancing measures will only be successful if the individuals would cooperate. If the public and the working class will not do their part, all these measures will only be partially successful.

So what is needed? I still believe in the age-old formula of discipline. If we refuse to wear face-masks in public places because of political or ideological reasons or we continue to value personal convenience as paramount, then we are not starting right the New Normal.

While discipline comes with so many interpretations, it is not authoritarianism. Discipline come from the will of the person and not impose from the outside by coercion because the latter is authoritarianism.

I can hear from some readers the question: Where is the poor here in this perspective?

I would like to start with the premise that discipline is for all. The problem with some sectors of our society is that they have “romanticize” the poor as weak and vulnerable, which is true in many aspects of their lives, but they are not entirely helpless. Sometimes, I even think that the poor continue to be marginalized because we allowed them to remain in such a dire state. Of course, we cannot eliminate those who are poor because Jesus conceded to the point that the poor will always be among us. Additionally, we are mandated out of charity to take care of them and to love them.

However, look at those whom we considered as the marginalized. Just look at reports on how some (if not many) of them are using their welfare benefits to buy drugs or to gamble. You may argue that these gamblers and drug addicts are few. I say that it is a debatable point due to a lack of data, which makes the arguments swing on both sides.

Yet, poverty should not be the reason why the poor should not develop discipline. Discipline is something that a person can develop regardless of socioeconomic standing and educational background. What I would argue is that the culture of dole-outs to the poor is keeping them poor. Rather, I would propose scholarship programs to disadvantaged students who have the grit to study well. At the same time, to provide sustainable livelihood projects that seek to eliminate poverty but also rectifies the culture of poverty. I know this is easier said than done, which brings us to what I am trying to say since the start of this series, societal problems are complex and complicated. There is no single formula for success, but we can always start with our selves.

This brings me to the last point I would like to articulate in this part of my reflection. The arguments I presented above showed how we are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is not only a health crisis but also a socioeconomic concern. The problem with many of us, with our respective advocacies, is that we have come to focus too much on the socioeconomic aspects that we frequently forgot that the COVID-19 pandemic is a health crisis.

TO BE CONTINUED…

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