Panic

19/3/2020

For the first time in human history, toilet paper is worth more than real money.

It’s hard not to look on with bemusement and alarm at the wild antics of desperate people, fighting in wealthy supermarket halls to grasp hold of the last packs of loo roll. My Filipino friends are utterly astonished. Whilst poor people there are struggling to hold onto their income, their ability to feed their families – and with good reasons too, here we are gripped by a selfish fear of…inconvenience.

The new pandemic has its scary dimensions, but they are nothing compared to those created by sheer irrationality – whipped up into a frenzy by irresponsible, scare-mongering media, fueling the flames of terror. At times like this, we need to look outwards, not barricade ourselves inwards, to see how best we can support those who are poor and vulnerable; locally, and in the wider world.

An antidote to the disease, that risks taking so much, is a yet greater and deeper humanity – to help ourselves and each other by keeping things in perspective; to see people in need and take practical, caring action in response; to pray for faith, hope and love when afraid or tempted to retreat, grab or lash out. Ask: ‘When you look back, what kind of person do you want to have been?’ Then be it…now.

Are you feeling gripped by the Coronadrama? How can I help you? Get in touch! [email protected]

36 Comments

Jizell Assaf

19/3/2020 09:04:07 pm

Very well said.

Nick Wright

19/3/2020 09:04:28 pm

Thank you, Jizell.

Maria David

19/3/2020 09:32:40 pm

I can't do much for other people right now. But I know that God is with us, makes me calm and therefore I can have a positive and calming charisma towards other people. So I hope that can also help.

19/3/2020 09:37:56 pm

Hi Maria. A calming influence can make a very real and positive difference at the moment.

Gary Manino, USMC Veteran

19/3/2020 09:34:57 pm

If you run out of TP you can always use the MSM newspapers... that's all they're good for anyway.

19/3/2020 09:36:03 pm

Hi Gary. The same could be said for a lot of the “news” papers here too. 😉

Dave Smith

19/3/2020 09:53:38 pm

It reminds me of those images on social media of a 'Panic Room' walled with toilet rolls!

19/3/2020 09:54:36 pm

Thanks Dave. 😀

Lilin

19/3/2020 10:57:43 pm

That’s true. Read on FB someone in thirsk Tesco swung a bag of wine bottles at the cashier due to frustration not getting what he want. And a woman wailing what she’s going to feed her kids because bread all sold out. I’m sure if she realised she can always feed them potatoes, rice, etc

Are we human......

19/3/2020 11:26:26 pm

Hi Lilin. Great examples of how people have lost perspective and are behaving irrationally at fever pitch!

Gwen Griffith

19/3/2020 11:24:48 pm

Yes! 1000x yes. ❤️ Thank you.

19/3/2020 11:27:16 pm

Thanks Gwen! 😀

Ingrid Hennessey

19/3/2020 11:28:40 pm

Will having a new appreciation for toilet paper make 'certain people' better at changing the roll?

19/3/2020 11:29:21 pm

Hi Ingrid. Intrigued. Can you say more..?

20/3/2020 12:13:06 am

The people I'm referring to are in a different demographic ;0) It was a rhetorical question. I hope you're living with roll-changers.

20/3/2020 12:14:45 am

Literally...or metaphorically? 😀

Peter Lawrence

20/3/2020 08:15:56 am

Well said Nick - when I speak to folk about the selfish culture in which we live , I am always met with total agreement? So who are the selfish hoarders ? Aliens ? No , it’s us, our community. Let’s try and be the change we so desperately need - Peter

20/3/2020 08:25:24 am

Thanks Peter. I appreciate your honest reflection - a good example of critical reflexivity. I have felt the impulse to panic-buy when I see the shelves are empty. Then, the other day, I saw a woman open the last small pack of hand sanitizer in a supermarket...and offer one to a total stranger first before taking one herself. That warmed my heart and reminded me of how I want to be too.

Richard Lister

20/3/2020 09:28:08 am

Thank you, Nick, for this important reminder to look outward in the current situation. I agree that it is good to remember, help serve and pray for those who are much more vulnerable such as the 1 in 3 of us on planet earth who live in slums. Social distancing is almost impossible in such cramped conditions and handwashing is challenging with expensive , scarce or non existent water. The BBC wrote a thought-provoking blog on this https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-51929598

20/3/2020 10:49:18 am

Thanks Richard. The BBC article is a good and sobering reminder and reality-check in the midst of so much Coronadrama in wealthier countries.

Mac Bogert

20/3/2020 03:33:28 pm

Hello, Nick.

Thanks for the piece. We have an opportunity here to frame this circumstance as a time for reflection and leadership - how can we travel forward personally to be better in our practices and relationships, build capacity and resilience?

I'm developing some programs to help people re-align their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being as we adjust to the new reality. Like post-9/11, things will never be the same after Covid 19 and its associated ripples.

My wife has a compromised immune system, so we have to be extra vigilant. We've both noticed several things:

Neighbors (even in other neighborhoods) are more friendly, likely to engage, and in less of a hurry.

We can continue our exercise quite well at home - we have some free weights, we practice Pilates and tai chi via computer.

We are reaching out more (and being reached) by our network of friends via video platforms. Much better than the old hit-and-run Facebook et al.

We spend more time being painstaking about doing things. Not just from a disease-prevention standpoint, but just as a way to focus our energy toward better rather than faster.

20/3/2020 04:19:38 pm

Hi Mac. Thank you for sharing such positive and personal examples of seeing...and taking...the opportunities created by a 'crisis'.

Marie-José Hakens, Drs.

20/3/2020 03:34:38 pm

In the turmoil of these new situations many buttons are pushed, either ‘personal’ ones of old stories or ‘mass consciousness’ ones where awareness is asked to sense into what is really ours. It takes time to let the dust settle, some will take that time and many will, from habit or whatever, not. Some and perhaps many will act out and others will choose differently, seeing this (despite their own buttons pushed once in a while) as something that invites to new balances, new choices, a new awareness etc. Many beautiful initiatives are developed, even the ‘craziness’ of panic and blaming can have it’s place in reflecting once more, exaggerated and all, what is being lived and wether that is what someone still wants to live. Personally or as ‘an example’ for others. New potentials, a space of breathing for all and for nature.

20/3/2020 04:23:48 pm

Thank you, Marie-José. I think you expressed that beautifully. Thinking of Gestalt psychology, some things only rise into awareness and lead to change when experienced in their most 'exaggerated' form.

Chris Dukes

20/3/2020 03:38:13 pm

Naturally, this will lead to a bulk problem if people try to use the donation bucket as a dumping ground for bundles of old billion and trillion dollar bills. The Buildings and Grounds people are worried about waste-disposal problems and the potential fire hazard that may ensue if large piles of billions and trillions begin to mount up. Therefore, a key feature of the new regulation is that the donation bucket must be emptied every day-more often if an excessive build-up situation is seen to develop.

In this vein, the B & C people would also like me to point out that many of you who have excess U.S. currency to get rid of have been trying to kill two birds with one stone by using old billions as bathroom tissue. While creative, this approach has two drawbacks:

1) It clogs the plumbing, and
2) It constitutes defacement of U.S. currency, which is a federal crime.

DON'T DO IT.
Join your office bathroom-tissue pool instead. It's easy, it's hygienic, and it's legal.
-- "Snowcrash"
http://soquoted.blogspot.com/2006/03/memo-from-fedland.html

20/3/2020 04:08:20 pm

Hi Chris. You made me smile. 😉

Ian Henderson

20/3/2020 04:10:43 pm

Thanks for the article Nick. The situation has shown us the worst and most selfish side of us, but it sure has offered us examples of people being so kind and caring. Wendy and I arrived home to find a note from a neighbour that had gone to all people in our village saying that if anyone was house bound to call her if they needed anything and she would look in her cupboard or go to the shops for them. As Mr Covey said, we don't see the world the way it is, we see it the way that we are.

20/3/2020 04:14:53 pm

Thanks Ian. What a wonderful example of care in the community! I have been interested too in some articles I've read that have looked at the positive impacts/effects/consequences of the pandemic, e.g. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-nine-good-things-to-come-out-of-covid-19-pandemic-11959667 There's always more than one way of looking at a situation. Are we willing to open our eyes and hearts to see and feel something new?

Rezina

20/3/2020 10:14:39 pm

Perfect you framed it really well.

20/3/2020 11:29:13 pm

Thank you, Rezina.

Dawn Scott

20/3/2020 11:30:07 pm

Great article. I’ve been astounded by both the selfishness and selflessness of people over the last week. We just need to live a simpler life. I feel hopeful that things will change for the better as a result of this ❤️

20/3/2020 11:33:13 pm

Thanks Dawn. Yes, the intensity of the Coronadrama seems to have brought out the extremes in people. A simpler life is good, along with a greater concern for and commitment to the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world.

Stella Goddard BA (Hons) Registered MBACP (Accred)

24/3/2020 12:38:34 pm

Nick - That is so moving. Yes we still need to find other ways to connect with people. We are relational beings. Stay safe.

24/3/2020 12:43:11 pm

Thanks Stella. Yes, thank God for communication technologies at a time like this. I'm concerned that prolonged isolation, combined with relentless media scaremongering, will create severe stress on livelihoods, exacerbate mental health issues and reduce physical immunity to disease, especially amongst the poorest and most vulnerable people and groups in the world.

24/3/2020 03:00:09 pm

Amen to that Nick. As always you make really important points. We are facing big issues that need to be reflected on and worked out. I believe that each one of us has a part to play within our sphere of influence in different ways. I would add though that there is much that is unknown that there is still much that we do know. Let's all do what we can.

24/3/2020 03:03:25 pm

Thanks Stella. I believe there's also something about perspective. Which lens are we viewing the 'crisis' through? Here's an interesting reflection on that front: https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-nine-good-things-to-come-out-of-covid-19-pandemic-11959667

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