To be totally honest, I’m a bit annoyed that I’m even writing about this. I’m typically not one to care much about getting in line or subscribing to mass hysteria. But I think in light of recent events I’d be foolish not to at least share my thoughts on it. Not that it has me concerned in any way shape or form, but with the news of the Corona Virus came all sorts of somewhat “new” things to think about. I’m sure I’m not the only one. I’m sure many others have found themselves in thought at the impact of what could be and what that would mean.

With the first news of it FaceBook literally blew up with reports, articles, and memes of how governments were scrambling to determine what caused it and how to contain it. The jokes were almost immediately rampant. The initial confusion of what exactly it was lead some to believe it had something to do with the commonly known Corona beer. Then I began to see memes pop up about the need for toilet paper. Which turned into memes about the lack of toilet paper and empty shelves. Apparently a virus that affects the respiratory system had many initially believing they would be experiencing uncontrollable bouts of diarrhea that would cause them to shit their bowels out. Hence, the desperate need and ability to wipe their ass became paramount to everything, including food. And I’ll admit, the thought of shitting myself and reaching for a roll of toilet paper that isn’t there would be pretty frustrating. Alas, I did not scramble the jets to go buy toilet paper.

Instead, I simply waited. Waited and watched.

I’ve found the most interesting thing about all of this has been peoples reactions to it. People have been legitimately concerned. Of that, I get it. But only to a certain extent. Others, seem to be somewhat unfazed by the news. Admittedly, I kinda fall into that camp. While thousands were rushing to strip grocery store shelves I was looking to post funny memes on FB about toilet paper. While seeing posts pop up about school closures, vacation plans being cancelled, and sports venues being closed, I was looking for the perfect GIF response to make light of a thread and make someone laugh.

Not because I’m ignorant to what a pandemic virus is capable of doing to an economy or what kind of impact it can have on “life” as we know it. But because I recognized my limited ability to do anything about it. Seriously. What can YOU actually do about it? For, what I think, would be the vast majority of the population that answer would be: Nothing.

Sure, you can wash your hands. You can separate yourself and stay indoors. For a time. Temporarily. But eventually everyone is gonna have to step outside. If for no other reason than to get more provisions. And ya, you can wear your super anti-virus suit equipped with your special mask to assist in avoiding infection. But…why?

The biggest part of all of this I’ve seen has been peoples unwillingness to accept change. They don’t want their life to change. They fear death and want to live. To maintain what they have. Their standards of living. Their comforts. Think about that. It was toilet paper. Something that, as far as surviving goes, I think you’d be hard pressed to find it listed as a line item on a basic survival sheet. And yet, here we are with empty store shelves where stacks and stacks of cases of toilet paper once sat. Why are you fighting so hard to prevent your life from changing? You can’t fight it. What is meant to change will change. It’s not going to ask for your consent or permission.

The death rate of this particular virus is so low. Thankfully. So this isn’t a “We’re all gonna die” type of thing. This is a your life is going to be an inconvenience for a bit, type of thing. But for some people, they’ll be dammed if they’re gonna go without toilet paper over this? Uh, ok.

Is this a precursor to what we may experience in the future? Sure. I think it’s definitely probable. But outside of washing your hands, avoiding public venues, having a stock of food and the ability to treat water readily available…what exactly are you gonna do about it? Crack out the chemistry set you had in high school and sit in your garage till you discover a cure? Cool.

I think people want security. I think people want a President, a leader to say it’s going to be OK. I think people need to come to accept the reality that they are a spec, living on a spec, in a spec and we literally have zero control over any of it. We are at the mercy of this Cosmos and what it wills to be, will be.

So when it’s your time, it’s your time. Just be ready. Then you’ll be at peace. And maybe there will be one more case of toilet paper left for the rest of us to buy. Salud!

 

© Jacob C. Larson 2020 All Rights Reserved