Cave Living…
One of the great cinematic achievements of the Twentieth Century was the film, “One Million Years BC”, starring one the worlds most gifted actresses, Raquel Welch. Ms. Welch was a member of the Shell People tribe who fell in love with a banished member of the warlike Rock People tribe. This epic love and adventure story serves as a reminder of the primal drives that humanity still has today, minus the giant dinosaurs and sea turtles. The climatic erupting volcano could allegorically be connected to today’s worldwide pandemic.
Since the beginning of time, humanity has been “tribal”. Today our homes have become caves except none of our fellow tribe members, regardless of tribal affiliations, can visit.
Let’s face it, being stuck in a cave due to the “volcanic-like” pandemic plague, is not exactly a characteristic of any tribe. A tribe is a group of people that hang together, hunt together, work together, play together, study together, hunt dinosaurs together, worship the Great Spirit together, and mourn together. None of those activities are currently happening. Certainly not like before the pandemic. The effects of this artificial separation from friends and family is not producing mentally healthy results, domestic violence and suicides are among a few of issues that are on the increase.
Cooped up is not, nor has it ever been, resident in social DNA of humankind. Pressing your nose up against the legal wall separating you from the beach, the salt air, digging your toes into the sand, is not normal. Folks have, over the years, developed enough common sense to know that if you go to the beach, stay within certain boundaries, for your own safety. After all, almost everyone has seen the movie “Jaws”. Some studies have indicated that absorbing the fresh air and sunshine actually is beneficial. Beats being stuck in the cave and is probably safer than standing in line at Costco.
The elected and unelected Tribal Leaders have taken it upon themselves, to save the tribe. Unfortunately, their idea of salvation and what rank and file members want, are conflicted. Closing the local watering holes and food spots along with the prevention of shopping mall milling plus things like seaside recreation prevention, does not endear the Chiefs to the tribe. It seems that the simple solutions have been lost on these many feathered leaders. Perhaps wearing a mask, instead of feathers, and washing hands in the local creek might be a sensible solution
It’s not necessary to cast aside the most vulnerable, put them on an iceberg and let them float out to sea, or leave them behind to fend for themselves as the tribe moves to new caves and campgrounds. Looking after those who statistically are most likely to suffer from the should be paramount. They should be safely quarantined to reduce their exposure until the danger has passed or an effective safe treatment is found. Ensure that everyone in the older susceptible community be tested along with those in contact with them.
Being a cave dweller doesn’t comport with an advanced civilization. The reality is that humans remain very social mammals. No different than elephants, gorillas or wildebeests, who like to hang together, even when some in the herd are hurt or unwell.
Your Cave can be a really great spot, when it’s filled with those you enjoy, but it can also be tremendously boring. When the Chiefs lockdown everything fun or productive, it transforms it into haunting lonely place. This can’t be done without some collateral damage to good mental health, particularly acerbated, if you find yourself stuck, watching some campy movie starring Ms. Welch.