The Disgrace Hiding Behind the Masks

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Abstract

y considering those from Mainland China) engage in and endorse such activities. While it might be a good time to change what can be eaten and regulate the way the food is prepared, now is not a good time to start pointing fingers and blaming China for everything.</p><p id="eded">Even away from the epicentre of the issue, people in other countries (like Singapore for example) started to hoard and buy medical supplies in bulk. Sweeping the shelves for surgical masks and hand sanitizers became the norm even if everyone in the family was healthy and not at risk. This leaves some of the higher risk individuals (tour guides who deal with numerous tourists, and healthcare professionals to name some but a few) and those who are sick mask-less. The ugliness is further exacerbated by scalpers who resell these items at astronomical prices, raking in the profits when individuals are forced to buy from them when they need the masks.</p><p id="8cd9">Another issue that surfaced is the discrimination towards frontline medical staff. These medical staff have to put in extra time and effort during times of crisis like these and instead of being commended for their efforts, many are instead looked down on and avoided when they are in public. Many see them as potential carriers of the virus and treat them as if they have done something wrong. Yet, these individuals expect to be treated well and be seen to quickly when they fall sick despite discriminating against the medical staff. Society cannot demand a service while simultaneously degrading the providers of the said services. It is time for us to recognise the efforts of those that work hard and stop treating them the way they are seen now.</p><p id="b2d7">Society will always have its flaws

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. But it is exactly times like this where everyone needs to band together to help everyone get back on their feet. Yes, these ugly issues are prevalent even in my society. But they are truths that cannot be denied. Unless we all recognise these ugly actions and stop doing them together, we can never improve and truly fight threats as one.</p><p id="eb93">You may also be interested in reading:</p><div id="3478" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/how-hollywood-is-changing-to-become-fashionably-detrimental-d0a900e158be"> <div> <div> <h2>How Hollywood is Changing to Become Fashionably Detrimental</h2> <div><h3>Why race-bending and gender-bending characters in Hollywood isn’t helping</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*qoGNlqs3FTq4aGUv)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="d13b" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/why-the-current-focus-on-recycling-is-bad-for-the-environment-d39537c862d2"> <div> <div> <h2>Why the current focus on recycling is bad for the environment.</h2> <div><h3>Understanding why recycling isn’t the miracle we all believe it is.</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*xRZcEhDVu8DCK8KPLmB5Og.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

How society’s ugliness and selfishness surfaced in our rush to protect ourselves

The Wuhan Coronavirus truly grabbed the world’s attention quickly, reflecting us many things about society. It tested response systems both internationally and nationally, displayed the readiness of various stakeholders, and brought us numerous touching stories of those willing to sacrifice and help others (like those importing and giving out masks to those who need them). But amidst all these positive anecdotes, the same virus truly displayed how selfish some individuals can get.

When the news of the virus broke, many of the first responses from the international community (mostly from internet netizens) weren’t of goodwill messages or for rallying positive actions that could help the affected individuals and societies. Instead, many turned ugly and started to blame the victims for causing the issue (as if people could and wanted to willingly mutate viruses that entered their bodies). Yes, the way the Chinese eat wildlife might seem unbelievable, unethical and downright disgusting. But we have to stop and realise that every culture has their differences (with an equal amount of food and practices that would seem gross to those from other societies) and that even then, not all Chinese (even only considering those from Mainland China) engage in and endorse such activities. While it might be a good time to change what can be eaten and regulate the way the food is prepared, now is not a good time to start pointing fingers and blaming China for everything.

Even away from the epicentre of the issue, people in other countries (like Singapore for example) started to hoard and buy medical supplies in bulk. Sweeping the shelves for surgical masks and hand sanitizers became the norm even if everyone in the family was healthy and not at risk. This leaves some of the higher risk individuals (tour guides who deal with numerous tourists, and healthcare professionals to name some but a few) and those who are sick mask-less. The ugliness is further exacerbated by scalpers who resell these items at astronomical prices, raking in the profits when individuals are forced to buy from them when they need the masks.

Another issue that surfaced is the discrimination towards frontline medical staff. These medical staff have to put in extra time and effort during times of crisis like these and instead of being commended for their efforts, many are instead looked down on and avoided when they are in public. Many see them as potential carriers of the virus and treat them as if they have done something wrong. Yet, these individuals expect to be treated well and be seen to quickly when they fall sick despite discriminating against the medical staff. Society cannot demand a service while simultaneously degrading the providers of the said services. It is time for us to recognise the efforts of those that work hard and stop treating them the way they are seen now.

Society will always have its flaws. But it is exactly times like this where everyone needs to band together to help everyone get back on their feet. Yes, these ugly issues are prevalent even in my society. But they are truths that cannot be denied. Unless we all recognise these ugly actions and stop doing them together, we can never improve and truly fight threats as one.