Specifically thinking about this times of darkness portrait by the threat to humanity, the disease COVID-19 etiologically attributed to coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, a very tinny life form measuring approximately 120 nm in diameter which is 0.12 microns, a human hair measures about 90 microns in diameter. But size doesn’t matter, as you already know,this tinny creature has been able to almost paralyzed planet Earth.
As a consequence of the global spreading and death climbing, The United Nations (UN) characterized it as a pandemic. Not without reaffirming the threat this pandemic represents to the humanity which continues to worsen, without losing sight of that, for a moment, it is important to observe the coexistence of the many ways in which crises such as these one; globally putting the lives of the entire human species at a high risk level, as a side effect, it is also changing, modifying behaviors in a positive way (hopefully on a more permanent level) in individuals, families , communities, countries and planetary levels. And so far our emotions, energy and resources are so committed to the containment of this desease, that we have not noticed the huge transformation humanity is undergoing.

I hope not to be the only one perceiving this shining light, forcing its way trough this anguishing times of suffering that we as humans are experiencing for the first time in history, as only one organism, perhaps helped by the significant factor that at this particular historical moment, there is present, a phenomenon that was never present before, and it is the fact that it contains billions of members of several convergent generations of, “dedicated communicators”, bound by an almost uniform communication technology, which includes the famous cellular phones and the no less famous social media apps.

I have clearly observed that at these points of convergence and divergence of this crisis, these intertwined international generations, accepted the call, and have responded for the first time in history, as members of a planetary human community, perhaps without even fully understanding it, they are showing interest, by talking, posting, questioning an responsibly responded to the collective call, to that collective message that reaches them through the same cell phone, that at other less stressful times distracts them. I have clearly noticed that during these days of crisis, we have all been united and it is also apparent that when there are planetary threats for us as a global human collectivity, “collectivism”, or collective solidarity, emerges as a spontaneous defense mechanism which increases our survival possibilities.

But obviously the fact that this global threat is taking place in a time where planetary communication is foster by the, “Dedicated Communicators”, that keep themselves attached on a minute to minute bases, it helped to shape the collective fears and anxieties into this new expression of, “collective solidarity”. Observed for the first time in our specie and translated into responsibility and actions. Because all of this, it is observable , that a collateral ongoing messaged has also been acknowledged and it could be pictured as a reality fact that as a Planetary Collectivity, collectivism is telling us that it’s no longer an election. We have, and must move from our comfort zone and stay present, and continuously communicating. The the most important lesson we have learn is that we are important to each other.

This ,“planetary collectivism”, emergent behavior, could very well be and emotionally evolutionary cornerstone for us as a species. To me it is clearly happening as an ongoing dynamic clear characteristic. Is it a new defense mechanism, a new sophisticate behavior? Perhaps it is to early to say. But the fact is, that it is happening for the first time in human history.

Observable behavior like the acceptance of the curfew, the obedience to mandatory home isolation, it is not just a simple act of cooperation, is also an act of sacrifice. It has been a sacrifice and a collective duty, which clearly humanity has understood everywhere in almost every country, and although it has been significantly stressful and even painfull, collectively we understood that all these changes were put in place for the protection of the most vulnerable. It made us all feel for the first time that their crisis and pain are ours as well.

With luck this historic call clearly points out the most important lesson: the fact of being and realized how much we depend on each other for survival. We are all doing our part, disregarding our geographical location, beliefs, ethnicities, politics or the particular economic situation of the community where we belong . All these issues at this moment have been put aside, to emphasize that we are capable of doing what is necessary (even if we are not yet aware), of sacrificing each other for our fellow human beings . We hope that the fatal victims of this expression of micro life that we call “viruses”, could be kept as few as possible and finally contained. A virus, an invisible specie, showed us, that even as small as it is, is has been capable of paralyzing humans everywhere in a planet that we mistakenly considered “ ours” . Today and in the days to come, we will realize that humanity has really evolved.

The people of this planet reacted and are still reacting as one, and this has never happened before. We can affirmed that as a specie, humanity has been put through a very difficult test. Globally our reactions have been characterized by cooperation, understanding, and reassuring our great capacity to adapt. There are and will be fears, anxieties and sometimes confusions, but predominantly it is fair to acknowledge that almost everywhere in the world , it was understood that we are all together, and we are all important to each other. Sometimes there is no time for, “drills” , and the crisis becomes an ongoing drill, and as such, we need to be educated fast and learn fast.

On a planet where we are surrounded by so many viruses, and antibiotics resistant bacterias, the way our governments and health specialists are responding, has been impressive. We must feel confident reaffirming that this is a historic moment and a gigantic step for the evolution of humanity, understanding that we are enlisted in the same endangered species list existing because of our environmental destructive behavior. I am positive, “ human planetary collectivism “,will continue to grow.

Recognizing that we are still working with this ongoing crisis. Finally and most important, we need to acknowledge the fact that we are not and have never been the dominant specie on Earth, because there is none. This tiny specie, this virus, triggered the collective emotional awareness required, for us to realize, that we are all travelers on the same and only ship we have. Most importantly let’s take care of this planet where all life forms are interdependent, and screaming for help, lets do our part. Start thinking, “We don’t have a planet, a planet have us”.

Author: Wilfredo Santa Gómez, MD
Child,Adult and Adolescent Psychiatrists

Puerto Rico

COVID-19

 

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