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Empathetic attitude may help combat Corona virus
Lack of cooperation on the part of those exposed to the new corona virus has become a major problem confronting the medical staff, Police and the Security Forces.
The reason for this attitude is mainly fear — fear of being quarantined, fear of perceived suffering in quarantine, fear of isolation, fear of stigmas and so forth.
This lack of cooperation has been very frustrating to the authorities. As a result, the methods adopted to get their cooperation have turned rigid. All the rigid methods adopted to rein in those exposed to this virus have not been of much success. Publication of the names of such avoiders as ‘wanted persons’ has made matters worse. They have been made to seem like ‘wanted’ criminals.
Trying to drive people as described above — to do what they should do exercising their civic sense — has not paid dividends. Engaging in retrospection and looking at this situation and empathising with these hapless people should be the way to go.
Empathy must be explicitly shown in thought, word and deed, so that they feel wanted lovingly. They and their loved ones should be re-ensured that they are not isolated from the hearts and minds of the authorities.
Should all concerned adopt this empathic attitude, fear that is the main obstacle to civic sense can be eliminated and efforts of the medical staff, police and security forces will start to pay dividends.
Isolation of those exposed to the virus, locking down areas of mass infection and so forth may not be the panacea for this global pandemic virus. These methods can only mitigate its spread. We have to hope and pray that medicines will be found sooner than later, that will wipe out this global pandemic from the face of the earth.
(The writer is a retired Senior Superintendent of Police. He can be
contacted at Seneviratnetz@gmail.com)