Who Matters?

Who matters?

I’ve been thinking about this for at least the past 6 months.  Who matters?  If the pandemic has taught us anything it is that many of us feel we are the ones who matter.  I had a meeting with a client back in July.  Her take was that Covid-19 was a risk for the elderly and for those with co-morbidities so why should she have to suffer?  My impression was she felt that those with co-morbidities had brought it on themselves and therefore deserved whatever they got. Taken aback doesn’t capture how I felt.  Disgusted would be accurate.  I am still angry with myself that in the moment I was unable to refute her.

I’m not sure I have the smarts to write this.

Who matters?  To decide that some people’s lives have no value and therefore we have no obligation to keep them alive is eugenics.

Some refuse minor inconvenience because they have decided the lives of the elderly, the disabled, those with respiratory issues/ heart problems, the obese, and etc. are disposable.  They do not matter.  They are not worthy and when they are not worthy, we don’t have to care about what happens to them.

Aged hand.

The mirror held up to Western society this past pandemic year does not show a flattering reflection.  We leap to our feet and applaud the Avengers saving the world from Thanos.  Wear a mask though?  Sacrifice some GDP?  Can’t be bothered.

I’ve always thought of myself as cynical but apparently not enough.  I’m struggling with this.  Looking to myself and how I can take action.

Canadian Blood Services

Ottawa Food Bank