“We Can’t Help Everyone, But Everyone Can Help Someone.” Ronald Reagan

Summary

The web content reflects on the plight of a mask seller whose business thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic but has since declined, prompting reflections on societal selfishness and the need for compassion and assistance.

Abstract

The article discusses the stark contrast in the fortunes of a mask seller who once enjoyed a bustling business during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Situated at a busy corner near a sewerage bridge, he catered to a daily crowd of customers, offering a variety of masks that were in high demand due to the pandemic. However, as the pandemic waned and mask-wearing mandates lifted, his customer base dwindled significantly, leaving him isolated and forgotten by the community that once depended on him. The narrative raises questions about societal values, highlighting the collective indifference towards individuals who fall on hard times after serving a critical role during a crisis. It suggests that while everyone desires good health and to avoid past afflictions like the coronavirus, there is a lack of empathy for those who suffer in the aftermath. The article calls for self-reflection on societal selfishness and encourages acts of kindness, even if infrequent, to support those in need.

Opinions

The author emphasizes the societal indifference towards individuals who are no longer of immediate use, as seen in the case of the mask seller.
There is a call to action for people to care for others, suggesting that everyone has a capacity to help someone, which is a moral obligation.
The article implies that the measure of a society's progress should include how it treats those who have fallen from prosperity to poverty.
It criticizes the collective amnesia of society, which quickly forgets those who were once essential during times of crisis.
The narrative suggests that while people universally wish for health and prosperity, there is a lack of sustained support for those who struggle when times change.
The author points out that acts of kindness and assistance, even if occasional, can make a significant difference in someone's life.

“We Can’t Help Everyone, But Everyone Can Help Someone.” Ronald Reagan

Throughout the history of mankind, there has been an incessant longing for the abundance of all comforts and luxuries. Only a few can get this privilege without the least effort. Otherwise, all others have to work day in and day out to meet both ends meet.

“Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.” ~ Mother Teresa

We daily pass by a person whom we have been observing for the last three years. We watched him first time when he used to sell face masks during the COVID-19 spell.

Image by Antony

How crowded the corner once used to be in those days. He had many customers around his wooden hangar on a daily basis. How his business was flourishing. How he was very considerate to his customers. He started selling colorful masks, and every day he got a variety that forced to the students buy that one. He had a tiny corner along the main road near the bridge of a sewerage flow in the heart of the city. An open corner just under the shade of a tree.

Time passed, and COVID-19 was over, the customers used to be thin day by day. The compulsion of mask-wearing is over now. Today, once or twice a day he finds his customers. He is sitting all by himself, watching the students pass by. Nobody cares for him now, a few patients few and far between stop and get one or two masks from his shop. Every day the same old stuff. No customer no money, no rush.

“As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.” Nelson Mandela

What does he pray for at present, and what did people get used to praying for those days? Should people become victims of Coronavirus again? Oh! No. That’s impossible. Everybody wishes to be healthy. Nobody wants to be the victim of the coronavirus again.

Time has changed now but what is he praying for?

We are very selfish that we don’t care for him now. We daily pass by him to get our own livelihood, but don’t you mind a bit care for him? We are very selfish.

Original image taken by the writer

If anybody would like to help once in a year, he is welcome.