Virus One
Covid 19. There have been many viruses in my lifetime but none quite like this.
Most of us know someone who had Covid in 2020-2021. I had it.
The symptoms of the physical illness I have experienced include fever, loss of taste, body aches, massive exhaustion and trouble breathing.
The vaccine: It’s coming
The cures: The Antiviral drug remdesivir, antibodies from people who have recovered from COVID-19, monoclonal antibodies including bamlanivimab, casirivimab and imdevima.
The Prevention: Simple: wear masks, wash hands, stay home.
Virus Two
Racism and Hate. This is another virus that has been rampant in 20-21. I have been aware of this virus my entire life.
There has been lynching and racist murder long before George Floyd’s airways were crushed. There have been violent and hateful mobs long before the recent attack on the capitol.
You can’t build a nation on the enslavement of one people and the genocide of another without scenes such as these..
But the hate seems to be peaking. The symptoms of the national illness I have experienced include lies, injustice, loss of common sense, and massive exhaustion and trouble breathing.
What is the vaccine and the cure and prevention for Virus 2?
The vaccine: BE AWAKE and AWARE
The cure: BE HONEST and BE CAREFUL
The prevention: BE OF SERVICE
Ask every morning upon waking: How can I help? How can I serve? Even if it’s a tiny action towards justice or unity or peace.
Even if it is a cup of tea for someone thirsty, a coin placed into an outstretched hand, a deepening of knowledge, curiosity about the other, an acknowledgement of effort, an open ear, a shoulder. Courageous Generosity is the theory of giving even when giving is scary, even when it’s hard.
This is from my play Nobody is Sleeping about Emma Goldman, an early 20th century advocate of freedom and justice.
Here she is giving a speech after being attacked for her active support for the Spanish Civil war:
EMMA GOLDMAN:
“DON'T BEMOAN THE WORLD. REBUILD IT.
DON'T SEEK RESPECT. DEVELOP IT.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, HEROISM IS SIMPLE:
DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE-ANYTHING -A HAND AN EAR A WORD A HAMMER.
THAT IS THE SOLUTION.
THAT IS REVOLUTION.
ANARCHISM OR COMMUNISM OR CAPITALISM?
I DON'T CARE.
AS LONG AS YOU DARE
TO MAKE YOUR LIFE WORTH LIVING.
DIE LIVING. DIE WORKING. DIE LOVING. DIE GIVING.
GIVE! GIVE! GIVE! GIVE! GIVE!”
Virus Three
The internal (emotional, psychological, spiritual) illness: “I am not enough”
So what of our aching fearful hearts?
What is the vaccine for loneliness, rage, struggle? What is the cure?
My Vaccine: TELL THE TRUTH – if you have impeccable integrity and are true to your word, it will be easier to spot and hear the lies when they swarm around you.
My Cure: LOVE. Really there is nothing more important: kindness flowing inward to self and compassion flowing outward to others.
My Prevention: LAUGH
AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE use humor as your sword and shield.
I have survived my life by seeing the world through an ironic view, even if the expression of humor means I am talking to myself throughout the day.
A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. — Phyllis Diller
Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand. — Mark Twain
Laughter connects you with people. It’s almost impossible to maintain any kind of distance or any sense of social hierarchy when you’re just howling with laughter. Laughter is a force for democracy. — John Cleese
Total absence of humor renders life impossible. — Colette
Other Useful Medicine for Virus Three: Art, Music, Ocean, Trees, Dogs, Cats, Birds, Prayer, Meditation. Turning off the news.
Meditation: What is YOUR Prevention, YOUR Vaccine, YOUR Cure, How will you protect yourself for illness today? How will you be of service today? How will you take care of your tender heart?