Moral dilemma:
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
- James
Right now the world is in a crisis, Covid-19 is sweeping the globe causing much pain, death and grief. I am fortunate enough to be in a category where it is a very low risk to my health.
I am being a good citizen:
- I listen to the government
- I only go to the supermarket every other day
- I work from home
- I observe the 1.5m distance
- I have enabled social distancing
- Children are home
- My wife works in the health system, we are doing our bit!
But yet still something bugs me, can I really be proud of my attitude and approach to the current crisis?
I’m am an athlete, currently in the form of my life. I accept that my events are now cancelled and 2020 will be the year of “what could have been” but the thought of a lockdown terrifies me. Am I willing to do what is asked if I have to give up the freedom to do the exercise that I love?
While running in the forest today I was contemplating what I would do if I couldn’t run anymore and I came to the conclusion that I wouldn’t be willing to stop. It was at this moment that I saw some deer sitting relaxed under some bushes just a few meters from me. I stopped, took some photos and enjoyed the moment. Another runner passed so I pointed these deer out and we started talking. It was a nice older lady (60+) and pretty quickly we got on to the topic of the lack of food in winter these deer have. She commented that we,
“shouldn’t feed the deer but let nature have is way because it is the survival of the fittest.”
It was at this point that she said something that really made an impression,
“Just like the deer it is the same now with this virus, the strong survive and the weak perish”
and then she ran off… These words were the reality of a lady in the “at risk” category keeping herself fit to survive.
My perception of being a good citizen was shattered… Here am I, strong and fit keeping up an appearance of doing what is asked but deep down not willing to give up my freedom for the survival of the weaker. As I ran further all I could see was groups of people out and about not observing the rules being asked of us. Why are we hearing but not understanding what is being asked of us? If we don’t do as asked then the only option left is a lockdown. Yes I fear that it will take the loss of my freedom to run to save lives, but this is maybe all that’s left because looking around we don’t seem to get it.
Yes there is an argument to letting nature be nature and should the weak perish then so be it. But these are the lives of grandparents, parents, and vunerable children we are talking about and not wild animals in overcrowded forests.
As an athlete am I willing to set being an athlete aside for awhile? As a healthy human am I willing to put aside my freedoms to protect those who desperately need it? In a years time I hope I can look back and be proud of the role I chose to play in this current crisis.
