Quarantine is a Privilege
Being ABLE to stay home is a privilege.
Every time I listen to the news, it reminds me of the strange reality of life at the moment. There are more deaths, more people getting affected and (thankfully) more people recovering from COVID-19.
I am constantly blasted with PSA from celebrities, news reporters and pretty much everyone who has a social media account about the importance of staying home and flattening the curve. And don’t get me wrong, we NEED that level of communication to spread awareness. We NEED to talk about this. Unfortunately, Social distancing has become the new normal and people across the globe are being encouraged to follow it. And if you don’t, you are considered responsible for practically ruining the society’s chance of recovering from this crippling disease, unless of course, you are a health care worker. But what we forget is that there are many more people who are helping run the world and are making it possible for us — the majority of the population, to stay home.
When we complain about quarantine, we forget that we can work from the comforts of our home and still have fresh food to eat because we can do curbside pickup and delivery — thanks to grocery store workers. We still have hot and clean running water — thanks to sanitation workers. We can still get life-saving drugs— thanks to the pharmacists. And let’s not forget the Amazon warehouse workers who work day and night just so they can fulfill our prime delivery expectations, the delivery guys, mail carriers and truck drivers. All these people are also on the frontline. All these people are also fighting right along with the healthcare workers. They deserve to be thanked and appreciated, just like the healthcare workers, and maybe more.
These people are the real heroes because even if they want to, they cannot stay home. Because if they do, they won’t be able to put food on the table for their families. They are scared, just like the rest of us. We get to sit comfortably at home and still complain about how we are ‘stuck inside’. They will give anything to be able to stay home because every time they walk out the door to go to work, they know they are increasing their chances of getting infected and bringing it back home to their families. Staying at home is a privilege that they cannot afford.
So every time you feel tired of staying home because sometimes feeling that way is entirely natural, try to remind yourself that being in quarantine is a privilege that not everyone can have. Being able to stay home and earn a living is a privilege. And think about those who are out in the world fighting this virus because they have no other choice.
