The issues of ushering in a diverse cadre of future physicians has always been important. The current stakes have only magnified the issues that have always been experienced by communities of color. Institutions should be dogged in their determination to invest in the next generation of black and brown leaders that will make a sizable contribution to every facet of society. Being a physician-scientist is a matter of life and death for me. The world needs my talents (even those which have yet to be nurtured). The nature of my being is intertwined with my passion to become a doctor. Every single sector is being called upon to attack these different areas of “TESTING,” “TRACING,” and “TREATMENT.” The solution is simple: all hands on deck. We all need a seat at the table in order to solve our problems.
There is no more running from the collective issue of our problems. COVID-19 has “revealed” this reality to those individuals who have chosen to look away. What we, as a collective society, now know is that our health (as a community) is tied to our humanity. If you get sick, there is a high probability that I will get sick too. Our humanity is defined by the connectivity we choose to engage with. Our lives are intertwined.
Our humanity is defined by the connectivity we choose to engage with. Our lives are intertwined.
Believe it or not, our world has been prepared for social distancing. Technology allows us to be so close to one another, yet so far from each other’s realities. I argue you that we have been prepared for this moment. We were always complaining that meal-time with families have more “screen-time” than “face-time.” Our technology provides us a mini-data report of shame statistics surrounding our “screen-time.” There is an explicit shame regarding the amount of time we spend on our favorite social media platforms. In turn, we applaud those who are able to “deplug” from society. We have to stand 6 feet apart, which is only just a physical manifestation of the 6 degrees of separation that have been built into our social DNA.
Technology is being hailed as a savior for our relationships, but this relationship is not simple. Technology does not provide the antidote, it is simply treating the symptom of our decaying relationships. We are realizing the intricacies and listening to the complexities of our relationships with our loved ones. We are forced to live with ourselves and listen to every thought— lasting or fleeting. We hold on to the fleeting thoughts and pull onto them like a deep thread. Not because we want to do so, but because we have time. We search for the source. The point of origin. The genesis. We do this because we know that there is deeper—a depth that we are striving to penetrate.
The call for healthcare providers, first responders, scientists, researchers, public health experts, humanitarians, philanthropists has extended to the corners of our society. All of the world’s finest institutions and scholars are racing to create data models, vaccines, and treatment. Tech experts have been marshaled to expand the technology needed for tracing. While these individuals often maintain the spotlight in the news and media, our humanity should remain at the core of the conversation. The globality of our personhood should rise to our conscious. We should not ignore this moment. Recognizing and respecting our membership in the world is an act of heroism. We are the heroes that protect our communities, our neighbors, and our loved ones.
This is not a DC comic book. This not a Marvel Superhero saga. No one person is going to save us. We need to save each other. This is real life. Let us rise to occasion and seize our moment.
