Podcast: Coronavirus and Uncertainty “When Toilet Paper talks about us”

23 Mar Podcast: Coronavirus and Uncertainty “When Toilet Paper talks about us”

Corona Virus and Uncertainty: “When Toilet Paper talks about us”

The whole world is being shaken up nowadays. Corona virus has turned upside down the human existence in a short period of time.

COVID- 19 represents all of the human fears; the fear of the unknown, the fear of dying, the fear of losing life as it is known, the fear of losing familiarity with relationships, money, comfort.

Humans are beings of customs and habits, very predictable creatures, most of the time.

Predictability is loved, the coffee every morning and even the complaints for the same things over and over again. The speaking being does not cope well with the unknown. Many do not have even the skills to deal with the unknown. However, it is a fact that sooner or later a time of unexpected illness, family crisis or job layoff or …Corona virus happens.

In times of social struggle, one hopes that governments and neighbors would do the right thing.

However, our flaws as a society, a country and as simple humans show us a scene of many flamboyant colors. Mistakes are made, confusion is all around.  Some are in a state of panic, others try to take advantage of the situation, some wash their hands every 5 minutes. However, it is also truth that there are others who with courage work non-stop in hospitals, emergency rooms and clinics to save lives, others check on the sick neighbor, others share their purchases.

We learned math and science, we learned good table manners, we learned to say sorry if we step on somebody’s foot, but dealing with uncertainty is not something that we learned at school.

Being able to deal with the unknown requires the capacity to deal with castration; in Lacanian terms, with the castration of the Other. The lack of, is always present for the neurotic, the difference is rooted in the position that every subject assumes towards it.  This miniscule virus might be seen for many as a giant monster due to everything that is unknown about it and its newness to speaking beings and science.

This lack of knowledge feeds all kind of anxieties, fears and stresses.

For some, buying all the toilet paper from the supermarket shelves will prevent them from suffering, will prevent them from dying, will prevent them from dealing with castration. Lacan speaks about the two deaths, the biological death and the death introduced by the signifier, by language. These two deaths require us to deal with a loss, with the unknown, with a reality that never inscribes itself in the signifier chain.

The reality of Corona virus shows with cruelty that not everything can be controlled. And even though human beings feel masters of the universe most of the time, this virus is reflecting the human vulnerability and its limitations.  Perhaps in times like this, support and anchorage needs to be found in what is known and familiar: jobs, relationships, community, friends, activities. Perhaps, this is a time to embrace social participation and community work. Perhaps, it is a time to change perspectives, values and ideals.

This may interest you: Mental health in Quarantine, Anxiety and Depression.