Working together remains our best chance of survival

FEAR is instinctive, it is embedded in our DNA. Fear floods us with adrenaline preparing us for fight or flight. Unbridled fear can develop into panic. It is the motivator for the selfish panic buying and hoarding we have seen.

Survival of our species relies on the interdependent social fabric we have developed throughout our evolution. We are all in this together and therein lies our best chance for survival.

We have all witnessed the results when we unite as one.

In times of war, our bushfires and floods, even down to our football team where working together as a cohesive force wins the game. This is a war against an invisible and indiscriminate enemy that attacks us on so many fronts. It puts our lives in jeopardy, threatens our livelihood, our way of life and through unbridled fear, creates discord.

Our evolution has diminished some of our physical abilities but has given us new weapons to deal with what faces us – reason, imagination, hope, the ability to change our environment and the recognition that when united in purpose we are at our strongest.

Survival is not just about dealing with the coronavirus, it is also about emerging from this with the tools necessary to rebuild our economy and society. The coronavirus has allies among us, those who panic and those who ignore the restrictions in place. It’s not too late to change that.

Until we find better drugs to deal with the virus, or discover a vaccine, we must work with the tools we have. It’s going to be a long, hard fight and there will be casualties, but we will emerge from this.

Hope, imagination and common purpose will eventually rebuild what we have lost. Our society will take different shape based on what we learn, but mistakes have always proved the best teachers. Our government and media have recognised that the restrictions, loss of jobs and isolation create uncertainty and severe stress. Already we have seen various methods to deal with this.

But we must play our part too. Be aware of your neighbours, offer help and encouragement, perhaps set up a local community network and never lose hope.

To ensure a better tomorrow awaits us we must unite in battle today and each day thereafter until the enemy is vanquished.

ROBERT JANSSEN,

GOLD COAST