Opportunities in crisis...

A point about Tom Hanks' confirmed case of COVID19 was recently brought to my attention, that since now an ultra recognized and maybe even beloved celebrity icon has contracted the coronavirus, somehow it's suddenly become "real" for more people around the world (or perhaps outside of Asia).

And maybe like the reaction to the news of the Notre Dame fire when other tragedies and injustices of worse degrees are happening without receiving much attention or sadly even sympathy, a compelling case can be made to recognize the significance of relatability.

That is why it is so critically important to travel, not just physically but even allowing our mental and emotional selves the possibility to go beyond our current spaces (and allowing outsiders the chance to come closer to and inside our own) can give us a chance to become vested in one another so that the right conditions can exist for personal growth and better progress of community.

But resources are finite. And now that actual lives are at stake concerning the global outbreak and not just our ordinary livelihoods, the depth of instinctual mentalities are resurfacing - racism and xenophobia being extreme alternate forms of survivalism [of the fittest].

And like a pack of wolves with the alpha leading from behind, we are only as strong as our weakest members in the front. So, show some compassion. Strength and general decency are not mutually exclusive.

// Joey Gu