Sheelagh Matthews/Best Interest
We wonder when it will be over, but perhaps a better question to ask is this: What will our new world look like post-COVID-19?
Well, to paraphrase Noam Chomsky, philosopher and the man the New York Times called “arguably the most important intellectual alive,” it will look like how we want it to look. Period. (Zoom conversation featuring Noam Chomsky, with Linda Solomon Wood, founder and editor-in-chief of the National Observer, April 23, 2020.)
It sounds simple enough, but is it? First off, who is the “we” in Chomsky’s response? Will it be the “powers-that-be,” our politicians, our CEOs, our leaders? Or will it be the “we” as in “we, the people?” Chomsky says it’s up to us to decide who the “we” will be.
It seems we are at a critical crossroads here, and at a most challenging time, too. However, if there’s one thing that any crisis brings with it, it’s opportunity. That’s why we hear people referring to something like “never waste a crisis.”
Author and social activist Naomi Klein explains this phenomenon in her book, “The Shock Doctrine.” The gist of it is that our “powers-that-be” are apt to put in place sweeping changes that are beneficial to them, all while “we, the people” are too overwhelmed to notice.
Like now. Most of us are entirely occupied with figuring out how to survive the COVID-19 pandemic, both healthwise and financially.
And while we’re busy, that’s when otherwise unacceptable rules, regulations, and policies can be pushed through. Which is why it’s essential to be aware of what’s happening outside of our immediate coronavirus threat.
Just what kind of details are in the various legislative bills that governments are pushing through while we’re not paying close attention? And how will these changes affect us in the future? The devil, as they say, is in the details.
For example, the fear generated by 9/11, a black swan one-off and very serious event, took its toll on our liberties. Post-9/11 airport security practices are now generally accepted.
But are we really okay with X-rays of our private parts, our cell phones being scrutinized, and not being able to pack a special bottle of wine, or maybe a gift of maple syrup, in our carry-on bags?
Leaders and politicians aren’t the only ones who have opportunity in a crisis.
So do the rest of us. If this coronavirus has taught us anything, it’s that we can and do have the will to treat each other, and the planet, in kinder and more humane ways. COVID-19 also proves how fast we can adapt to change. There’s power in that alone.
So, what do we want for our post-coronavirus world? Do we want a return to normal, but with far-reaching changes to social policies allowing stricter controls and harsher penalties? Or do we want something different, where widespread change leads us to a kinder, more ethical, and more cooperative world?
Maybe we’ll aspire to a Universal Basic Income as Pope Francis called for in his Easter message. It’s up to us.
The bottom line is this. It’s time to stop Netflixing, and it’s time to start paying attention.
Do we want a continuation of wealth inequality where the wealthiest 1% own the significant portion of global wealth? Or do we want a more equitable situation? Again, it’s up to us.
Taking action—writing letters, signing petitions, and the like—so our post-COVID-19 world can be for the better, and not for the worse—now that’s in our best interest.
