Gift of Ignorance

What would be a better option, to prepare for the worst or be ignorant about it? I mean both options come with a set of pros and cons. We can always be prepared, but no matter what we do any preparation won’t be enough, but still we might fare better than the others who have willfully ignored the situation. But if we choose to ignore it, we might avoid the anxiety from anticipation of the worst. Not only will it affect us emotionally but also people around us.

Currently the world is divided between these 2 people. When this pandemic started no one was fully prepared for it. As no one could foresee it. Even though people were warned by the experts, to believe that something of this magnitude could affect us was an unbelievable prospect. So when a pandemic appeared on the horizon we expected it to pass through without affecting us much. First wave, though devastating in many places, barely registered itself in several places too. Those who were affected the most their shortcomings became visible. Their resources strained and signs of failure began to appear. But they got hold of it, they controlled the effect of next waves and with necessary preparations. They made necessary arrangements for the future.

But the others who fared better initially, mistook the potency and capabilities of the virus. They buried their heads in sand and expected everything would fall in place eventually. They become careless and ignorant. Well they were ravaged next time when the pandemic roared back. Like roaring waves rising from the deep blue ocean, this time the pandemic engulfed everything. Whatever we could throw towards it it devoured. It took everything it could. Not only humans died but societies too are stripped of humanity. Naked greed was apparent. Opportunities rose from the sick and helpless. Families outpoured money they don’t have and took in turn the carcass of their loved ones. Even after death, greed had no qualms in claiming the highest bids for pyres. People who could not afford it, abandoned their loved ones’ bodies. Society crumbled around us.

I didn’t mean to take the dark turn. But this pandemic has forced me to come here and share with you the turmoil I had felt when my whole family got sick. As luck would have it, we have not faced any misfortune and we are recovering well. Still what happened out there, how can it not affect anyone. It made me angry and stressed. Currently I feel very less hope for the future. Clueless about how we will recover from it. What will be the source of income? Will there be another wave? How devastating will it be? Will we be ready for it this time?

I don’t know the answers to any of these questions. I chose to be ignorant about it, as it keeps me away from stress. I have started to work on my fitness. Since I started addressing you I felt the need to live a little better, maybe that’s how we will reconcile. I want to have what we both would have wanted.