Bravery in the face of COVID-19

At the present hour, the group of civilians who are risking their lives are the medical personnel. It is important that the military and other social workers stand collectively by their side – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara

Men at some time are masters of their fates. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings. - William Shakespeare

By Kasun P. Chandraratne 

Disasters have existed since time immemorial and gain meaning only when life’s smooth sail is disrupted. For this reason, one may say, mankind and disasters are wedded inseparably. 

In the bygone era major disasters were in the form of hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, earthquakes, floods and the like. Not only humans, even other living beings, learned how to confront various disasters in the secret to successful living.

In the past, nature was the major destructor but natural disasters had their benefits, preserving nature’s bio rhythm as in the case of floods that fertilised the land with sediments from reservoirs. 

In this background the new coronavirus is a pandemic threatening the whole world irrespective of gender, social status, wealth or education. At present countries are bent on investigating and averting the disaster by finding the antivirus therapy.

While therapy is an important aspect, the flip side of the coin is the basic instinct that is instrumental to the survival of mankind – bravery. Bravery is an act that saves another life in peril at the risk of one’s own. This aspect of behaviour in humans which is instilled in our genes, has saved not only human beings but also other forms of lives, when in danger.

In the past the military who have been trained to risk their lives most often held the titles of bravery. This phenomena has changed today, and in the current situation men and women in the medical profession, public servants, bank officials and other social workers are in the forefront, fighting the virus.

The Government is using digital communication to fight the problem. However it should be borne in mind that social media does not reach the common masses at grass root levels. Only 60% of the population could be reached through social media – the reason when curfew is lifted the general mass go haywire ignoring all warnings to maintain social distancing among themselves.

The system could be strengthened using persons of standing in the community. Engaging good local leaders in the process will help carry out the message of the importance of restrain and discipline to be practised during curfew time.

It is evident that the message of the Government to be indoors during curfew times has not reached out to the local areas effectively. The number of people violating the law and their reluctance to come forward for testing if showing symptoms or have come in contact with persons with the disease are many. While it is the duty of every citizen to obey the directive of the Government, leaders and clergy in the local areas need to come forward and explain and communicate the message to the people.

The application of force to comply is indicative of failure of the program as told by Duryodhan to Vidura in Mahabarath: “He becometh a foe who seeketh to control others by force.”

The Foundation for Civilian Bravery during the last 25 years has recognised the concept of civilian bravery. Its track record is recognition of civilians who risked their life in the past 25 years in various adversities, natural or manmade. The hunt is for excellence of human behaviour among men and women irrespective of race or religion. Through this process civilians numbering around 500 have been identified and honoured for risking their lives.

At the present hour, the group of civilians who are risking their lives are the medical personnel. It is important that the military and other social workers stand collectively by their side. Risking one’s life does not mean careless behaviour that can expose them to harm but a sacrificial selfless act that saves another life.

Again, bravery is the capacity to perform properly in the face of overwhelming fear. The wise are admired, the brave are elevated. The brave stand up in the wake of disaster, and they fight, even sacrificing their lives to save the rest of us from peril.

Wars are fought at any cost and they are fought to win. This war is being fought by medical personnel—doctors, nurses, and the like—who are the generals, against an enemy not visible to the naked eye. This is the hour of the medical personnel, who have braved themselves to fight a foe that threatens to wipe the human species from the face of the earth.

It is important, that we the civilians stand by them at this hour and extend our support in this time of adversity to eradicate the corona pandemic.

(The writer is the President and Founder, Foundation for Civilian Bravery.)