2020 has been a whirlwind in ways that I’m sure many of us hadn’t expected. In my personal life, it seemed that after New Years’ challenges ramped up in my family, then Kobe Bryant and his beloved daughter, GiGi, passed away, and now a pandemic has hit us all. Needless to say, blogging for me was put on the back burner. Since all of our lives have now been impacted and I’ve started watching the news for more updates, I feel the need to write about humanism.

Never before have I witnessed and experienced a global pandemic where I could see the issue steadily growing closer and closer to home. Since the coronavirus was announced, I made sure to wash my hands more frequently and keep from touching my face more than ever. Yet, as businesses and most public venues have begun to shut down and social distancing is encouraged, I believe we’re starting to see more than ever how much we actually depend on others.

What Is Humanism? 

When I think of humanism I think of the philosophy of Buddhist Humanism. As someone who practices Nichiren Buddhism, I’m aligned with the foundational belief that there is inherent dignity in all life. The essence of this philosophy is humanism which means “the individual [is] the pivotal force of change within the interdependent network of phenomena that comprises life. A fundamental change in the life of an individual, in other words, will affect the entire web of life,” (SGI President Daisaku Ikeda).

Therefore, all people are connected. What each person does matters and can contribute to the betterment of society. 

Connection During A Global Pandemic

When people say “we’re all connected,” I’ll admit I didn’t truly understand the scope of what that meant. I’m sure this idea is hard for most people to grasp. Embracing a humanistic perspective allows you to see the cause and effect of people’s actions. The coronavirus pandemic seems to be a massive moment to observe what cause and effect is. The lack of clear response in our country to take action and meet the new demand to produce test kits, ventilators, masks, etc. is leading to more people dying than necessary. Our so-called leadership has responded so horribly to this and I hope people see that change is needed. A change on an individual level can and will impact change on a societal level. 

Recently in HuffPost, Doctor Dipti S. Barot wrote about how first responders like herself are having to face possibly infected patients with inadequate equipment. Many doctors and nurses are out of N95 masks and other supplies yet they are still expected to address patients. This is unjust and inhumane.  Despite this, ordinary people and local governments are standing up instead of waiting for the federal government to take action. I know this will have a positive effect on our society long after this pandemic. Health care workers, for example, have taken to social media with the hashtag #GetMePPE, to ask for mask donations. If you have an overage of masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE), please consider donating at Donate PPE.

Tips To Remember:

• Stay Calm & Social Distance – Panicking isn’t helpful to you or those around you. We must stay calm, have patience, and know that things will improve. If you must go out, remember to stay at least six feet away from others. Most importantly, take this pandemic seriously and stay home as much as possible to keep immunocompromised, elderly, and other populations healthy. 
• Support Small Business If You Are Able – Many local eateries are trying to adjust from sitdown places to takeout and delivery. Please support local businesses so that they can stay afloat during this trying time by ordering online. Encourage small business owners and creatives to apply for programs like ConvertKit’s COVID-19 Financial Assistance Fund.
• Listen to SOUND & Trustworthy Media – Stay informed! Now is the time to cross-reference the news you’re hearing and to find reliable news sources. I appreciate outlets like MSNBC, HuffPost, Trevor Noah, and John Oliver. Additionally, check the CDC for COVID-19 updates.

Embracing Humanism

My hope is that people see how important workers and everyday people are. Our public health system has to improve so that we have enough equipment and services in the future. No matter what, our society depends on the working class, middle class, and consumers. I never understood devaluing the work someone does if we ultimately depend on the people who pick up our garbage, the people who clean our buildings, the people who cook our food, and the people that check out our items in the checkout lane. 

When the time comes, let’s walk away from this pandemic with a greater understanding of the value of all people. 

How do you want to see COVID-19 addressed? What changes do you wish to see?

Stay Strong, Hygenic, & Compassionate!

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Best,

Kai