People all around the globe are currently directly or indirectly affected by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The Levant News publishes voices from a wide variety of people with different backgrounds. After stories from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Italy, today Erwin Sanders writes from Rotterdam.

In 1988, Michael Jackson released the song Man in the Mirror. The King of Pop reflects on the world and things that need to change: “If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change”. Striking lyrics that could not make more sense today.

I understand the lyrics now better than ever before. It is the man in the mirror who has to make the change to make the world a better place. For weeks, we have been stuck in this horrific and unprecedented global coronavirus crisis, like a bad dream that does not seem to end.

Most people think they are social beings who care about each other, but in the end, they only care about themselves. Draconic measures were taken worldwide. Social distancing is the new credo, and it will probably be one of the most frequently used words in 2020.

In the Netherlands, we are now entering the so-called 1,5-meter society, which our government has stamped 'the new normal'. But why such rigorous measures? Is it selfishness and a self-centred approach? Is it because people do not want to get infected themselves? Or is it that they do not want to infect others if they unknowingly carry the coronavirus?

The world is changing.
It was only a few weeks ago that the streets, cafes, and restaurants were filled. We were all excited about the upcoming summer, counting the days for a summer full of crowded festivals and terraces. Covid-19 ruined that for us all.

An enormous number of people remain stuck at home. They are unable to blow off steam at work; they have been stuck at home 24/7 with their loved ones. What happens if you lock people up at home? What happens if people get bored and frustrated? We start correcting each other and minding each other’s business.

Out of anxiety, neighbours are bothering each other. People call the police if they see someone doing something they think shouldn't be, like a neighbour having guests over or forgetting to wear gloves when throwing away the garbage.

Society is losing its mind. It is starting to get insane. Are all those silly conflicts necessary, or is this new life so boring that we search for something to do? Hopefully, this is not the new society, and things will return to normal as they were before this virus.

Luckily, I also see a lot of good things happening. Health workers finally get the appreciation they deserve. They are now even called lifesavers. They do their utmost best to save the lives of the infected, even if there is an enormous chance that they themselves get infected.

This is why we must continue to supply those people with appropriate equipment and lifesaving gear, such as medical face masks. Suddenly, they became popular with the mainstream audience to prevent the spread of the disease. In many European countries, face masks are now mandatory. Will it help? Why not make sure that the people who really need them get them first?

As more and more countries mandate the use of face masks as a measure, those masks will run out of stock in no time. The Dutch government claims that if we make them mandatory, healthcare workers someday have to work without them.

Looking in the mirror offers a chance to change the world for the better. Keeping others at the same level as you is important. So, let’s not stockpile all the food in our grocery stores so the elderly people don't have any chance of buying it anymore. Hard work has been done to keep the stock available. How about asking your elderly neighbour if you can go to the store for him instead? How about that solidarity?

If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and... exactly. Solidarity means thinking about others. Think about the elderly, the people in need, and our heroic healthcare workers, who work around the clock to save lives. I am sure they need those face masks more than we do!

Erwin Sanders is a positive young Dutchman. He is concerned with what is happening in the world, but he refuses to participate in the coronavirus hysteria. He likes to stay optimistic instead.