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The art and science of responsibility

Being responsible calls for you to make certain that your liberty does not impugn another's right to say no

The new catchword in town is responsibility and its various derivations. There is even grand signage on the highways asking us to be just so and not abuse the freedoms granted to us. And while we might breathe a sigh of relief at being given allowances in mobility we need each one of us to know the tipping point of our safety and the risk we take to move that comfort zone to the brink.
At the outset is the safety of our children and the need to ensure they are not innocent victims of our enjoyment. So before you cart them off on some expedition make sure you are placing the protocols sufficiently not just in masks and gloves but to what adverse influences you are exposing them.
The Covid-19 virus is totally democratic and impervious to all human distinctions. 
There is currently this school of thought that is impatient to break the shackles and take the risk based on a 'if we get it, we get it, it is only one life cannot be cooped up' sentiment. Fine, your choice but being cavalier does not entitle anyone to endanger anyone else and by upping your risk you also put pressure on the system.
Being responsible calls for you to make certain that your liberty does not impugn another's right to say no. Do not use peer pressure or socially bully friends into 'coming along' and mocking their reluctance. All of us have different values and views and if there are those who wish to continue staying home then so be it.
Honour that committment, they could well have the last laugh.
You want to meet with a few friends because it has been so long and you think it is within the realm of responsibility, well then take your chances. How you justify this to yourself is between you and you, but if you have little kids at home or the elderly then you could be veering off the road of responsibility.
Now you might believe that your domestic help needs a break and they do but they are meeting friends you know nothing about and are not likely to maintain social distancing through sheer limit on space. Compensate them in other ways but for now hold them back. Being a little paranoid is fine.
Being responsible also means cleaning up used gloves and masks and getting rid of them clinically. Just as it does keeping distance from everyone.
There is another dimension to responsible behaviour and that is blocking fake news, not spreading rumours or making exaggerated claims.
Most of us are not dense and stating the obvious can be very annoying. Thing is that a few can wreck it for the rest and make them victims without being signatories to the pact. They are able to convince themselves that their decisions, however self indulgent, are gilded with invincibility. If we happen to know folks like this we gradually lower our guard and start to think, oh why not, if they can do so much we can do a little...and there you are made vulnerable in no time at all. Today a quick sortie to the market, the next a stopover for a coffee, and the next thing you know a "shhhh don't tell anyone" dinner for six becomes a dozen and very soon it's an open house.
Being most responsible is recognising the difference between stepping out for work and to earn a living and taking chances to entertain yourself. If you cannot or do not wish to see the difference you are an endangerment to those around you.
The law of diminishing returns does kick in and you have to be wary of that. Remember the first few weeks and how painstaking the effort...even wear gloves to accept a delivery. Then a little casualness creeps in, oops forgot to wash the packets and sanitise them. Now you might be opening the door without the gloves, too much bother, just a second's contact. For this virus that's an eternity.
Eat your meds, maintain your immunity, take care of each other, and don't get pushed into doing something your common sense tells you is wrong.
In the end being responsible is just that...being responsible. bikram@khaleejtimes.com