Second Wave Fears: I Need to Check My Privilege, Again
Note: I published a version of this LinkedIn article in March 2020. It’s a bit eerie and incredibly eye-opening to reflect back on those early days of the pandemic. Here we are again. We have a responsibility to each other that keeps going, despite our weariness.
I need to check my privilege. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock with noise-cancelling headphones on, then you’ve encountered the unending messages about the coronavirus. Just scroll through any news app, and you’ll find lists of infected cities, theories about virus transmissions, travel ban announcements, and ways to stay healthy. This all sounds too familiar.
I live in rural Appalachia where my backyard is an outdoor playground of trails and fresh air. I am not required to travel for work these days, and our local stores are stocked with necessities. So, it’s tempting to sit back and wonder if we are all overreacting. However, the first wave of this pandemic brought 200,000 deaths, millions of infections, and millions of job losses. Taking this pandemic seriously is not an overreaction.
It’s easy to wallow in my disappointment and feelings of discomfort. I can certainly find plenty of people locally and online who identify with my feelings. I can see myself slipping into a judgmental headspace. I’m learning that my judgmental tendencies are more about my own issues than others. As Anne Applebaum from @TheAtlantic put it, our reaction to this outbreak gives us valuable insights into ourselves and our societies.
So, I reflect on why I’m not overly worried about this outbreak.
Age – I am not near retirement age, so I know that my stock market investments will bounce back.
Health – I am healthy and less susceptible to infection; so are my household family members.
Health care – I have private insurance which covers a lot of tests, and I can access medical facilities fairly close to me.
Savings – I have enough savings to handle disruptions right now.
Paid Leave – My partner has a great job that offers plenty of paid time off if we do encounter sickness.
Flexibility – My current job offers a remote work option that doesn’t impact my income or exposure risk.
Ethnicity – My fair skin, European features, and Southern accent are taken as less threatening for exposure when people see me.
Internet connection – I have easy access to information and online capabilities.
Location – I live in a sparsely populated area, so my kids can attend school in-person.
This is a beginning list of factors and frankly, privileges. Millions of people in the USA and the world cannot identify with me because they have just one of the factors on this list.
I am crushed to think that my own pride and privilege can block me to the needs of others. That’s why I will continue to support healthy practices, listen with empathy, and abide by any mandates to stay home. If I were infected with the coronavirus, I may not experience any symptoms because of my privilege, but I could not transmit the virus unknowingly to others with life-altering impacts for them and their communities. I need to check my privilege.
Picture by Glenn Carstens-Peters/Unsplash