COVID-19: the need for community and breaking free from the buffered self | Ojel L. Rodriguez Burgos

            The inaugural moments of the new decade have been, to say the least, eventful for the entire nation. Britain formally left the European Union on January 31st, a new conservative majority government began pursuing its renewed domestic agenda and, now, a global pandemic has made itself firmly known after arriving on our shores. The Coronavirus is quickly arising. The response from the government to this pandemic has been mixed, at times appeared contradictory, and has followed a very gradual approach to the adoption of measures that will be needed to deal with the virus. These policy measures notably included that of social distancing and the beginnings of an essential lockdown, actions now being enforced by the UK government right now but that many of us have already been freely adopting.  This social distancing or isolation provides a perfect example of the “buffered self” that nearly all individuals within our society have come to currently live in.

            In my first piece of the Orthodox Conservatives, I mentioned briefly the “buffered self” and the person who coined the term, Charles Taylor. The influential and widely accredited philosopher, who came from the communitarian school of normative political theory, wrote a truly substantial book entitled “A Secular Age”. In the text, he traces the rise of secularism in the West, thanks in large part to pervasive ideas of reason, naturalism and modernism. These ideas, says Taylor, led to the creation of a “buffered self” between humanity and the transcendent. Whereas 1,500 years ago humanity looked to the transcendent to find happiness. Today it finds itself in being an individual atom separated from the rest of society. Disciplined and self-focused, but isolated. Unable to ever truly make contact in any real meaningful sense.

            Why mention Taylor and this phenomenon? The question that arises is as to what the “buffered self” has to do with the current Coronavirus crisis? The answer is simple; it’s a perfect illustration of what self-isolation would look like. During the crisis we all, as citizens, are going to be buffered as has sadly become convention from the transcendent, but also, from our families, communities and society. Most will be pulled from what truly makes this country; its people, communities and traditions. A physical barrier will arise. An obstacle to be overcome to avoid a further deterioration of what makes a nation cease existing as a mere collection of disconnected beings and makes us an us.

            Breaking the barriers of the buffer that a large part of the population has surrounded itself will lead to potential benefits during self-isolation. Look, for example, at the benefits of being exposed to religion, as the literature suggests it leads to better mental and physical health. Also, look at the benefits of a community cooperating with each other to help the most in need. Particularly in large urban areas where people rarely know their neighbours, punching holes in our own bubble, could help in navigating the crisis and lead to the creation of lasting friendships. 

            It may be necessary to adopt what American conservative Rod Dreher calls the Benedict option; to organize within our own communities in order to help one another during this time of great need. Most of the time the “little platoons” such as the family, community and Church- that foundational British thinker Edmund Burke referred to- will continue to be the first responders to our needs, sorrows and difficulties. The key is now in allowing these valued institutions and associations to significantly penetrate the consciousness of the nation, else risk ourselves missing this opportunity to escape the imprisonment of our “buffered self”.

            Indeed, we have some reason to be optimistic that this may come to pass in some form. Churches around the country have begun to retake their role among communities- and care for those that need. Neighbours around the country previously unbeknown to each other have come together and cooperated to assist the old.

            Yet, the UK government’s refusal to timely adopt more stricter measures (such as nationwide quarrantine as seen in Spain and Italy) to combat the virus also makes it incumbent on all of us and our communities to protect ourselves. Taking the time to talk to an older person, helping a stranger, volunteering in the Church or an organization could look trivial to the action needed to deal with the crisis- but a thousand acts of random kindness, a phrase mentioned in the movie Evan Almighty, can be of enormous benefit to the whole of society.

            During times of crisis, it is a natural instinct for the human being to seek only self-preservation and of those near to him, in order to buffer ourselves. But even in these uncertain and fearful times there is also an equally great opportunity and demand for compassion, affection and practical action to have the backs of our countrymen and women, of everyone who forms part of this great country. If we are to truly persevere during these upcoming months, it’s time to break from our bubble of inward-looking individualism, and to punch holes in the comfort zone of our “buffered self”.