Pete Yiese
Pezielietsie, Kohima
For a few weeks now, we've been inundated with waves after waves of tales of hardship and death from the Corona virus pandemic. The waves are coming closer now and will finally reach our shores.
In these times, besides the grave nature of the illness and the horrors inflicted physiologically, I am astounded by the depths of cruelty and inhumane attitude and actions of fellow humans across the world. From violent attacks against people with mongoloid features to overt nasty remarks against people of our race and also against the families and victims of those affected by this virus.
Yes these are trying times. These are scary times. This silent disease is killing people the world over, but I think this is the best time to observe your own TRUE nature. People's true nature is being revealed. Apart from the medical supplies and PPEs I think KINDNESS is in major short supply the world over.
But hold on, let us Nagas not take the high horse of righteousness. We have been as cruel and if we are not careful we will be worse that those beating up old asian folks in America, or than man from Vijay Nagar Delhi spitting at a girl from the NER. You might ask, how is it possible? How am I being unkind? That video you helped forward of the patient in distress. That medical report you helped make viral with her name clearly visible. That fake news you supported by spreading it around your whatsapp groups. But most of all the God given power of discernment and common sense you did not employ when disseminating all the videos, 'news', statistics, stories, victim shaming pictures and images which brought so much anxiety to not just the person in question but to the one who was reading it, who didn't know better. That was not Kind at all. That was cruelty. Because of your action now a mother cannot sleep in peace fearing the worst had come. She should've been using that time she spent worrying to prepare for any eventuality to protect her family, her neighbours, her people. Her hypertension has shot, and along with it the other diseases which accompanies. But worst of all you have made worse the lives of those who are really infected by spreading hate stemming from fear. Invaded their privacy by sharing their names and address. God forbid, should they die today, they would've gone having been forced to bear the burden of every one's ire, just because they wanted to come home to their mother because they weren't safe anymore.
I implore every one who reads this yes be safe, and save everyone else around you. But show some KINDNESS to those not as fortunate as you. Your mass forwards of their names and address and videos and paranoia is NOT GOING TO STOP COVID -19 from reaching you. Stay home and stop forwarding these news and post which does nothing but induce unnecessary stress and anxiety. Keep your paranoia to yourself and let the journalists do their job. And pray not just healing but good sense prevail.
