Real heroes don’t wear capes

This May, we look back at the past five months in sombre reverie. With the citizens of the world in tears over the tragic loss of loved ones and the gripping fear of being locked down in their homes – or indeed, whether their jobs are as secure as they once were – coronavirus has changed the world as we knew it.

But as always, out of the ashes of despair, hope rises; and as such, this may be an opportune moment in time to reflect on some of the acts of kindness and humility the people of the world have engaged in – yes, in the face of adversity.

In our island home, the people of Sri Lanka have always formed a united front in times of disaster. Whether they’ve been devastated by a natural disaster, a man-made war or a global pandemic, we are by and large a resilient bunch who come forth to help one another.

It’s an innate quality and an admirable one.

Nonprofit organisations and charitable arms have been operating since the first emergency lockdown was announced, ensuring that the less privileged don’t suffer from a shortage of essential items such as food, medicine and personal hygiene products.

At a time when panic buying has become a pandemic of its own, these groups have helped make sure that hundreds of thousands of fellow citizens below the average income grade have sufficient food and basic resources.

Around the world, unique and magnanimous individuals haven taken it upon themselves to serve the community as responsible citizens in any which way they can.

Miss England 2019 is one such individual. Returning from humanitarian work in India, the 24-year-old respiratory specialist Bhasha Mukherjee exchanged her glittery crown for a pair of hospital scrubs to serve Britain’s NHS in its battle to contain the deadly virus.

“I felt unfair getting dressed up in a place of safety while my colleagues were laying their lives on the frontline,” she said in an interview with the BBC.

Another such individual is former NFL star Myron Rolle who is working as a third neuro surgery resident helping patients fight the novel virus.

It’s been a frightening few months to say the least but if there is one lesson to learn from the people who are helping on the frontlines across the world, it is that if we put our minds to it and work as one, we can and will overcome.

We hope our readers are safe and well at this time.