Sunday, March 15, 2020

Coronavirus and Information



And just like that the whole world has come to a standstill. Schools are closed, businesses shut down, jobs made remote, while we all wait at home for answers. We're at a point in time where information is available instantly, but knowledge is lacking. News is spreading faster than people can keep up with. But with this comes lack of research and truth. Instant info leads to instant fear and panic. There was a time when journalists had time to process information, question sources and make sure it was valid before publishing. Today, anyone can click a button and publish anything they want and it has the potential to go viral within minutes if not seconds. This is very scary. And part of the reason why things are happening the way they are around the world.

Coronavirus, or COVID-19. Nobody really knows the truth. Where it came from, why or how. What it does to the body, how it spreads, or how to stop it. But there is limitless information on the internet and social media. Stores have run out of supplies overnight. Case in point, toilet paper. Why or how that's related to the virus is a mystery in itself. But panic and fear has set in to the public as they hoard supplies. We're advised to stay home and self-isolate, but everyone ran to the local stores in mass crowds. What's the leader of our country doing? The president of the strongest country in the world. One day he's saying it's not a big deal, it's just like the flu and it will go away. The next day he's declaring a national emergency. There aren't enough test kits available in the most advanced country in the world. It's 2020 and we don't have real numbers for anything.

As I sit here reflecting on all of this, I can only draw one conclusion as a believer in God, a Muslim. It just shows the power of God. The whole world is at a standstill over something so small that cannot be seen with a human eye. No matter who you are, how much money or power you have or don’t have we’re all the same at this point. Everyone is equally vulnerable. No matter how big or small your house is, everyone is trapped inside of it. Nobody has any answers. Except for God. And whenever He wills, it will all disappear. That is pretty remarkable.

The only thing we can do is pray. Pray for forgiveness for all our wrongdoings. Pray for God to send answers and send the utilities and knowledge needed to create a solution. And in the meantime we have to thank all the doctors, nurses and hospital staff who are working countless hours helping those in need. It's time to reach out to our friends, family and neighbors. If you have to make a trip to the grocery store, ask them if they need anything, especially those who are elder and offer to deliver to them. It's time to behave the way God wants us to be- as one Humanity.