Mark Chupp
April 13, 2020
New social norms are emerging as a result of COVID-19, making us much more aware of those around us. Many are making eye contact and trying to show friendliness to strangers as they move away from someone at the grocery store or on a walking trail. Unfortunately, a minority of Americans have insulted and lashed out at people of Chinese and other Asian descent. The President and right-wing media have emboldened people to mistreat complete strangers simply because of their appearance or presumed ethnicity. With the pandemic, persistent xenophobic sentiment among some Americans is now being expressed overtly and directly.
At this time of heightened fear and anxiety, people are also behaving in positive ways. Beyond sheltering in place and hand-washing, most people are doing things that demonstrate a level of trust and faith in others. Going to the grocery store requires trust that others will not go out in public if they have symptoms. Crime is down and sharing is up. Coworkers send dinners to one another to show their support. Patrons leave $100 tips for take-out in a show of solidarity for a favorite local restaurant.
In addition, people are performing acts of kindness to complete strangers, not expecting anything in return. Volunteers work long hours to provide meals to school children and families in need. There are creative efforts to show support for healthcare workers making great sacrifices for those who are sick with the virus. Hundreds of Case Western Reserve University employees have turned over their monthly parking rebates, leading to an emergency fund with tens of thousands of dollars for students in financial need.
The virus is growing exponentially. R0 (pronounced R-naught) is a scientific term filling the airways, helping us understand the highly contagious nature of COVID-19 with an R0 of 2. Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton said an R0 of 2 means at first, there might be 100 people infected, but in as little as three days, there could be 200 people infected, and three days after that, up to 400 infected, growing exponentially. This type of growth, without flattening the curve, can lead to millions of infected people in a matter of weeks. Ohioans are leading the country in changing their behavior, making sacrifices to drop the R0 or flatten the curve and save lives. It’s working.
I believe trusting behavior and acting on behalf of the greater good are also contagious. The R0 might not be as high as COVID-19, yet I still believe that we can grow small acts of kindness as people learn new rituals of connecting and caring for others. Online social hours, reunions with long-lost friends and reconnecting with distant family members are increasing daily. Co-workers are checking in with each other and providing support in stressful times. Cooperation has taken the place of contention in the workplace. Generosity is contagious.
We can do our part by extending our public support for those of Asian descent who are being unfairly discriminated against. We also know that low-wage essential workers, many of whom are people of color, are putting themselves at risk to keep our systems going. We can advocate for the financial and emotional support they need, including a $15/hour minimum wage and full health benefits.
Let’s imagine the exponential impact of a new-found awareness and respect of others. Let’s spike the curve of goodness. If you catch someone doing something good, call it out by sharing the good news, copying or adapting it in your own life. Let’s create a set of new rituals and peaceful practices that will be the lasting legacy of the coronavirus.
善良和信任的指数增长
作者：Mark Chupp 翻译：崔馨元
2020年4月13日
随着COVID-19的出现，新的社会规范正在形成，这让我们对周围的人和事有了更多的了解。许多人在杂货店或在散步，遇到陌生会与他们进行眼神交流，并试图对他们表示友好。不幸的是，少数美国人侮辱和抨击华裔和其他亚裔。仅仅因为不同的外表和种族，美国总统和右翼媒体煽动人们不公平地对待他人。随着疫情大流行，现在有一些美国人把持续的排外情绪公开而直接地表达出来。
在这个恐惧和焦虑加剧的时刻，人们也在以积极的方式行事。除了呆在家里和洗手，大多数人所做的事情都表明了他们对他人的信任和信念。 去杂货店或在公共场合需要相信，那些疑似感染或有症状的人不会出门。 犯罪减少了，分享增加了。同事之间互送晚餐以示支持。顾客留下100美元的外卖小费，以表示他们对一家最喜欢的当地餐厅的支持。
此外，人们对完全陌生的人表现出善举，并不期待任何回报。志愿者长时间工作，为有需要的儿童和家庭提供食物。也有很多有创造力的努力来支持医护人员为感染病毒的病人做出巨大的牺牲。数百名凯斯西储大学(Case Western Reserve University)的员工上交了他们每月的停车补贴，从而建立了一项紧急基金，为有经济困难的学生提供数万美元。
病毒依旧呈指数增长。R0 值常被用来描述疫情的传染速率，可以反映传染病爆发的潜力和严重程度。新冠状病毒的传播指数(R0)在2～3 之间，卫生局局长艾米·阿克顿博士(音译)说，这意味着一开始可能会有100人感染，但在短短三天内，可能会有200人感染，三天后，会有400人感染。这种呈指数的增长，如果不使曲线变平，可能在几周内导致数百万人感染。俄亥俄人正在领导着这个国家，通过改变自己的行为方式，做出牺牲来降低R0指数使曲线变平并拯救生命。这很有用，并产生了效果。
相信信任的行为和为大局着想的行为也会传染力。虽然它的传播指数可能没有COVID-19那么高，但我仍然相信，当人们学习新的联系和关心他人的习惯时，我们可以培养出一些小小的善举。在线社交时间、与久违的朋友团聚、与远方的家人重新联络，每天都在增加。在压力大的时候，员工们互相问候，互相支持。在工作场所，合作已经取代了争吵。慷慨是会传染的。
我们可以尽自己的一份力量，为那些受到不公歧视的华人亚裔提供公众支持。也知道那些低工资的基层工人，他们中的许多人是有色人种，正冒着风险来维持我们的制度。我们可以为他们争取经济和情感上的支持，包括每小时15美元的最低工资和全面的健康福利。
让我们想象一下，新发现的对他人的认识和尊重所产生指数级的影响。让我们让善意曲线达到顶点。如果你发现有人做了好事，请分享好消息或复制这些善举到你的生活里。让我们创造一系列新的仪式和和平的实践，这将是因新冠状病毒而留下的持久遗产。