Six Degrees of COVID-19. The virus continues to affect individuals and American society. It is impacting the workplace, social life, spiritual gatherings, and more. Pew Research concludes that almost "nine-in-ten U.S. adults say their life has changed at least a little as a result of the COVID-19." That is a marked figure, but note the "at least a little" threshold. It is a fairly low hurdle.
But, for most, the COVID has slowly seeped into our consciousness. The news began to mention the events in Wuhan, China in January. It was challenging to find anyone even interested in discussing the virus then. February did little to change our collective focus. Really, March is when it began to impact us. The OJCC suggested COVID consciousness internally in February, and then in an email to our customers on March 3, 2020. On Saturday, March 14, 2020, we mandated telephonic mediations. While it seems this virus situation has been with us so long, the reality is far shorter. It just seems like forever.
The virus did not profoundly burst into our consciousness or world. However, it has slowly evolved into affecting our lives. The facts of it are simple: it is easily transmitted by close human contact; it can spread fairly rapidly; its effects run a spectrum from mild symptoms to death; different people react and respond differently to an infection, there is some potential for recurrence; and according to the World Health Organization, "for most people in most locations the risk of catching COVID-19 is still low."
That seems to be harder for us to believe as it becomes more local to each of us. In the beginning of our consciousness regarding COVID-19, it was a problem somewhere else, affecting someone else, and through the winter was really not of much personal interest to most. None of us had the infection (we believe, but some now suggest some of us did and mistook it for influenza). But in a relatively short time, that has changed. It brought to mind our interconnected social circles.
That seems to be harder for us to believe as it becomes more local to each of us. In the beginning of our consciousness regarding COVID-19, it was a problem somewhere else, affecting someone else, and through the winter was really not of much personal interest to most. None of us had the infection (we believe, but some now suggest some of us did and mistook it for influenza). But in a relatively short time, that has changed. It brought to mind our interconnected social circles.
It reminds me of Kevin Bacon. No seriously. ExploringYourMind.com explains the theory of Six Degrees of Separation, and asks
"Have you ever consider how easy it would be meet your favorite writer. Or, perhaps, the members of the band that you’ve been a fan of for years?"
This is the portended result of the theory that all people on the planet are distanced from each other through six other people at most. That is, essentially, that "the number of people known grows exponentially with the number of relationships in the chain." The more people you know, the more people each of those people know, and so on. It reportedly finds its roots in an article written in the 1930s.
The idea became somewhat mainstream with an American movie actor Kevin Bacon. In the 1990s, according to CNN, a "parlor game" became an "unlikely grass-roots phenomenon." It was focused upon an analysis of your individual connections that would eventually lead to Mr. Bacon, and was actually called "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon." The thought was not novel as regards Mr. Bacon, and the analysis could be applied to anyone. But, it grew in popular culture, even resulting in an app for your cell phone.
Essentially, the theory holds that you (1) know someone, (2) that knows someone, (3) that knows someone, (4) that knows someone, (5) that knows someone, (6) that knows someone in particular (Kevin Bacon). Within that six connections, you are theorized to be connected to the whole world. Just think of how you might begin to reach out and tap your personal network to arrange a meeting with virtually anyone in accordance with this theory.
This occurred to me when I recalled an early conversation regarding the virus that I overheard in February. The tenor of it was essentially that the virus was not here, and it was not therefore something about which we should worry. It was a world away. That someone was even talking about it in February is notable.
And now, it has come to our doorstep. In less than a month, within March, I skipped six degrees and found that I already knew someone infected with COVID-19. In short order, each of us will find ourselves connected to someone who is affected. Unfortunately, some of us will know and perhaps love someone who it kills. If we are lucky enough not to know someone, well, see above the (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6). We will be connected somehow to someone who dies.
And now, it has come to our doorstep. In less than a month, within March, I skipped six degrees and found that I already knew someone infected with COVID-19. In short order, each of us will find ourselves connected to someone who is affected. Unfortunately, some of us will know and perhaps love someone who it kills. If we are lucky enough not to know someone, well, see above the (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6). We will be connected somehow to someone who dies.
This may be within the proverbial "six degrees" or it may well be more personal. Statistically, the odds of each of us being infected remain small. Most people tested are negative. Most of those who are positive are not hospitalized. Most people do not die as a result. But, people are dying every day from COVID-19. The personal and societal impacts are deep, pervasive, and extended.
At one time, on a personal level, I found myself wondering sometimes about whether I would know someone so profoundly affected. I realize now that in some way, we are each profoundly affected. Today, we go back to work and try to keep our small part of the world functioning. We are thankful for the opportunity, but perhaps more for the distraction. Let's remember we have no way of knowing who has been profoundly affected, who fears such impact is imminent, or whose angst and anxiety are significant. Let's try to treat each other well and remember that we will get through this.
At one time, on a personal level, I found myself wondering sometimes about whether I would know someone so profoundly affected. I realize now that in some way, we are each profoundly affected. Today, we go back to work and try to keep our small part of the world functioning. We are thankful for the opportunity, but perhaps more for the distraction. Let's remember we have no way of knowing who has been profoundly affected, who fears such impact is imminent, or whose angst and anxiety are significant. Let's try to treat each other well and remember that we will get through this.
