Be better

The world is upside down. You know it is when you misdirect your anger at those trying to help you. The novel coronavirus pandemic has simultaneously brought out the best and the worst in humanity. On one side you have the selfless ones — the doctors, paramedics and nurses that have been working round the clock to contain the virus at a great cost to their own health and personal relationships; and the old patients who have nobly offered up their hospital beds and ventilators so that the young ones have a fighting chance. But then you have the flip side of the coin — the ones placing both themselves and others at risk either out of sheer ignorance or plain obstinacy. Even worse have been those who, not content with not contributing to making things better, have placed themselves on a collision course with those who are at least trying.

A lot of us in Pakistan ridiculed ignoramuses in other countries, particularly in the developed ones, when they openly undermined the efforts of their government and healthcare staff to fight back against Covid-19. And while the pandemic has shown that ignorance knows no national boundaries, we now need to treat our own compatriots with the same standards. On Thursday, a mob of 20 people vandalised the isolation ward of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre in Karachi after medical staff refused to hand over the body of a deceased Covid-19 patient without necessary clearances. The attack has sent a wave of fear and panic among hospital workers across the country. While it is understandable that the death of a loved one is incredibly trying for anyone, it should be clear that this is no excuse to act in a reprehensible manner towards those doing their best to save lives.

We ask our leaders to act better, but it is high time we as individuals and as a nation do the same. This goes beyond the attack as well. To all those flaunting lockdowns and social distancing, you are part of the problem. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2020.

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