Member-only story
Why COVID-19 is a Test of Evolution
We must avoid the “get mine” mentality
In the face of this unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak, I had a moment when I felt a true sense of community togetherness. There is something to foregoing one’s plans and making a small personal sacrifice for the greater good of society. Even though I am not personally at high-risk of serious complications from COVID-19, I want to ensure that I do not catch it and spread it to others who may be.
Being that this is the first time I have experienced anything like this, it was a unique, and uplifting feeling.
Knowing that collectively, we are in it together and will get through it together, made me feel more connected and like I am a part of something bigger than myself.
And then, I went to Target.
It was an abrupt wake-up from my brief utopia. I looked around and remembered, “Ah, right, we’re still imperfect human beings.” Deep down we have a basic survival instinct that, through evolution, we have been able to suppress, but will never fully eliminate.
Empty shelves everywhere. Chicken — gone. Pasta — gone. Beans — gone. Paper towels — gone. Toilet paper — gone. Medicine — gone. Many other items just about gone.
The survival instinct that kicks in is, “I need to get mine.”
