Aloha from Hawaii.
Here in Maui County we are going in to week 3 of our “Stay at Home” order. At the moment, there are 44 confirmed cases on Maui, 387 for the State of Hawaii. 5 deaths. 1 of those on Maui.
Our heart goes out to those affected, not just those sick, but also the many small businesses on our little island home.
Several weeks ago, while talking story with some colleagues we discussed the financial impact this pandemic would have on our community, but never could we imagine exactly where we would be at this point in April. Social media would have you believe we are all enjoying ourselves - copiously drinking at all hours, binge- watching Netflix/Hulu, eating to our hearts’ content - but in reality, many of us are yearning to actually accomplish something. Not only has the quarantine deprived us of the ability to fulfill our innate desire to socialize, but also the very human inclination to create, produce, and exert oneself. True, many previously shelved home projects and hobbies are now being realized, but to truly validate “worthwhile achievements” more is needed than Facebook and Instagram likes. Civilization is built on TANGIBLE productivity, commodities that can be touched, held, felt, and enjoyed in person, with other people - not with a 6 foot bubble around us - something virtually impossible with the current rules in place.
“Essential” is the new “black”… errr… “blank”… et term. “Blanket Term”. Eating food is essential, it doesn’t have to taste good, the body doesn’t care if you love it, it just needs to be nutritious. A roof over your head is essential. Why doesn’t every city and town just consist of a bunch of soviet-style bunkers/tenements? Windows are a luxury, right? Clothing (in most cases) is essential. Underwear could suffice. Social interaction. Essential. But are Facebook, Instagram, and Zoom gatherings really gonna cut it for this very simple necessity?
NO. Humans push the boundaries of “essential” because humans innovate. Humans delight in personalization. We live for it. It’s what most would consider “living”. Delicious food. A warm home. Tasteful attire. A handshake and hug. Sharing these moments with other people outside of our own household. There are no replacements.
This is NOT a call to action to end the stay-at-home order, nor a call for anarchy, or to pacify conspiracy-theorists’ claims that this is all an elaborate plan to strip us of our civil liberty. It is simply a conscious exclamation that our entire system is founded on the very existence of everything we now prohibit.
It can be said with certainty that things will never be the same even after the bans are lifted and the orders removed, but one thing is for sure. We will never again take for granted the simple things like a hug, a gathering of friends, a relaxing lounge at the beach, and the luxury of anything currently regarded “non-essential”.