Don’t underestimate human resilience: We will emerge from this pandemic stronger than ever

Nobody could have predicted this disastrous situation six months ago. The world seemed to be humming along quite normally, and aside from the usual first-world problems everyone seemed to be dealing with in the West—everything else was relatively calm.

Then along came reports of a new virus emerging from China in the latter part of 2019. For those of us in the United States, everything appeared to be so far away until only a few weeks ago. It’s now hit home closer than anyone could have imagined. Every single part of society has been affected—thousands, perhaps millions—of people are set to get ill with the virus, and our economy is in free fall with everything shut down. Quite a sudden reversal of normalcy and a big wake up call.

Despite not (like most people) predicting the severity of this pandemic, I have not significantly changed my views that a large part of the collective response to this has bordered on mass hysteria (think panic buying, fights in grocery stores, and senseless attacks on Asian minorities). I also firmly believe that the response to this would have been completely different 15 years ago, pre iPhone. That’s not to say the health and medical disaster of so many people falling ill, is not to be taken seriously. It absolutely is, and I can only emphasize that as a physician. But I do wish there had been a greater sense of calm and collected leadership. One that gave a sense of authority and reassurance, while also displaying determination and a science-based approach.

This is like a war situation. In fact, we are in battle with an invisible enemy. The sense when watching the news, can be one of overwhelming doom and gloom. We are blasted with scary stories and sensationalist headlines. But that’s not what we need right now. Can you imagine a war being fought like that?

I have written previously about my respect and awe of the elderly, especially the Greatest Generation. I have found it ironic when I’ve spoken to many of them over the last few weeks, that they appear to be the most calm and philosophical about the current situation—despite being the most at risk from COVID-19. I have been met with rolling eyes and collective sighs, as the elderly have watched how the world has dealt with this virus and they’ve recounted their thoughts to me. They have, after all, seen so much worse and lived through horrendously turbulent times like the Great Depression, World War 2, Communism and Vietnam. The truth is that because of their sacrifices, the current generation running the show (and I include anyone under the age of 50) have had relatively comfortable and non-eventful existences, compared to what our elderly went through collectively. Every generation faces its test, and ours is pretty small compared to others before us.

As bleak as things appear right now, we are going to get through this. Our backs are against the wall and we are fighting hard. Doctors and hospitals everywhere are on emergency footing, desperately need supplies delivered, and adequate capacity to treat patients. But we fight with the knowledge that eventually the peak will come, the curve will trend down, and slowly normal life will resume. Hopefully sooner than we think and with minimal casualties.

The resiliency of human beings is not to be underestimated. And many good things may even come out of this. For healthcare, hopefully a more streamlined, less costly and bureaucracy-bloated system, with more use of new technology such as telemedicine. Society will be more aware of simple hygiene—perhaps way less people will die of other infectious diseases like the Flu. And the brightest minds are now working on cures and a vaccine, which may lead to other exciting medical breakthroughs.

As millions of members of the general public sit at home, how many will have time to re-assess their lives and make a positive change. How much precious time are people getting to spend with family, that will never return. Despite the enormous pain of mass job losses and economic uncertainty, how many people will look back in 5 years, and think that things turned out okay in the end.

Sit tight through these dark days. We need hope now more than ever. We will prevail. And we’ll be stronger for it.