Living with the virus

When I think of dangers for my family at night, I'm now deprived of sleep by the threat of illness. The new coronavirus is spreading rapidly across the globe, documented hourly by global communication systems, and every new infection and death is reported breathlessly.

Oh yes, we are living in unusual times. Who would seriously deny that? Even if I sometimes wonder whether there was ever a generation that didn't think like that. What did people think during the French Revolution? Or during the wars of the twentieth century? Even in times of peace and prosperity, people lived in fear. For example, during the Cold War, when children were taught at school how to behave in the event of a nuclear first strike: «duck and cover», seek shelter under your desk, was the motto against the impending apocalypse. If that isn't a metaphor for the inadequacy of man in the face of his mortality.

And now fear of an epidemic - at least there is the consolation that you can actually do more to protect yourself than «duck and cover». Anyone who, like me, comes from a medical household where dealing with illness was a daily topic at the family table knows this.
Our parents allowed us to share their profession with the necessary discretion, discussed cases in front of us and gave answers when we asked questions. Every illness, I realised, creates its own drama. And I admired my parents for the way they dealt with it: thoughtfully, sensitively and with the confidence that they could help through rational intervention.
That was basically their recipe against drama of any kind - even when it came to us four daughters, who produced a lot of it during our teenage years.

It's not just the virus we need to beware of, but also misinformation.

And that's exactly how I try to give my children the knowledge they need about the virus. I can also contribute something from my job. After all, we not only have to guard against the virus, but also against misinformation, hysteria and panic. So I set up a kind of newsroom in my house. Because as much as my children are naturally aware of what's going on through their smartphones, a little sober categorisation can't hurt.

I informed them that the matter should be taken seriously, but not to panic. That there are milder cases in younger people and that we have a responsibility to all our fellow human beings. That a few simple rules of behaviour can help, such as washing your hands. And showed them how to do it properly. Like my father, who always soaped his hands thoroughly at the small sink in the corridor first and washed them before embracing us daughters.

I think about this at night when the dangers to my family and loved ones keep me awake. His sober medical calm and the compassion he showed people. And that seems to me to be the best medicine for dealing with the coronavirus threat.

About the person:

Michéle Binswanger is a graduate philosopher, journalist, author and long-standing columnist for Fritz+Fränzi. She writes on social issues, is the mother of two children and lives in Basel.

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