Thread by @sunnshiiny

I’m laughing at all the entitlement issues coming to the surface because of covid.

The indignation of people who feel oppressed and denied freedom during covid of what they consider a right is hilarious.

https://twitter.com/cbcwindsor/status/1472189910530478081

People have no concept of true deprivation and exclusion.

We live in one of the wealthiest nations. We have access to world class healthcare and our country is not besot by war and poverty. We have access to vaccine guaranteeing us first in line for a third dose as booster.

While groceries have become a bit more expensive, there are limited shortages. We live in a northern climate yet still have access to fresh produce and products from across the globe.

Most of us have access to personal transportation, but public transport is available.

We have heated shelter and running water. Electricity and sanitation services.

Life is pretty sweet for Canadians. Our movement is restricted within society, but we have multiple methods to maintain contact with friends and family.

So any feelings of entitlement to going to the bar, a theatre, a sports arena, across a border, or on a plane, is an inconvenience.

Not suffering.

If you believe this is suffering, you’re an entitled middle to upper income brat needing a reminder real suffering exists.

We are not suffering. You may feel frustrated, depressed or lonely. But you are not anywhere near suffering.

Suffering is going without necessities. Our necessities continue to be available. So we are inconvenienced by the inability to resume a “normal” lifestyle.

I’ve read articles about people “needing” a sunshine vacation break to unwind. Completely oblivious to the fact not everyone can afford international travel.

Travel is a luxury, not and essential need. Not an entitlement. You neither need nor deserve a foreign vacation.

The fact you can afford one means you’re not suffering. You are inconvenienced by a global pandemic that has restricted your ability to travel. So is everyone else. Get over your self assigned entitlement. That’s what is making you unhappy.

Canada is a first world nation. Very few people are without access to food and shelter. But that number is growing, not shrinking.

By only focussing on your own desires, you’re giving tacit approval for low income to be evicted, go without food, or electricity, or heat.

Many are forced to brave the public spaces to keep food on their table, a roof over their heads, and working utilities. Others don’t have access to running water or central heating. A few have been thrown in the street.

And you’re annoyed about not being able to pay for someone to serve you lunch, being restricted to outdoor public spaces or shopping online.

Do you realize how vapid and morally vacant those desires are?

If your only concern is yourself and how the restriction inconveniences you, maybe you need a lesson in gratitude.

I came from poverty. Everyday I’m grateful for the absence of struggle and suffering. I would love to sit on a beach in Mexico and drink refreshing Mojitos.

But I’m not suffering because I can’t die to covid.

But I bet the people in Mexico who rely on travel and hospitality industry for wages are suffering. Food, shelter and utilities may be getting difficult to obtain.

Or the Afghani citizens left to deal with the Taliban.

I bet they’re suffering because their social, healthcare and banking infrastructure has collapsed.

Or Ukrainians close to the Russian border. I bet their needs for security waiting for US and Russia to decide if kinetic war will begin before or after Christmas causes suffering.

Or Syrians, Yemeni, Somalians, Mali, Nigerians, and other locations around the globe in open combat zones. They’re suffering from lack of essentials. Lack of security and poverty.

Or how about cheap labourers in developing nations who are without unions or health & safety protections and without access to vaccines toiling away making cheap commodities for your holiday gifts? I bet they are suffering covid’s ravages.

Those are all examples of suffering.

We tell ourselves that being deprived of our freedom is suffering.

Get the f*ck over yourself!

You are inconvenienced, not unfree or suffering. Learn the difference.

You have every reason to believe this too shall pass. (Albertans may be the exception).

In the mean time while you’re waiting for the 5th wave to end, you have all the time in the world to look up why your government has placed restrictions on travel. And every opportunity to learn if they are sufficient restrictions to address Omicron’s airborne transmission.

There are children in schools who need air filtration, N95 masks that need to be bought and distributed to essential workers, employers refusing to do the right thing, healthcare facilities that will be overwhelmed imminently.

And there is nothing stopping you from political activism to address some of these needs (vs inconveniences).

Just a shift in attitude makes a world of difference.

This is two years of social upheaval. That’s nothing compared to people really suffering.

You want to know how people survived the deprivation of movement, food shortages and difficulties that accompanied world wars? They chipped in to assist the cause. They spent time remembering the soldiers who were off fighting for the freedoms they already enjoyed.

They didn’t whine about the inconvenience of war. They used deaths and injured soldiers as reminders of the sacrifices required to secure freedom for western democracies.

They ate Spam and Clik for meat, learned to do more with less and adapted to their environment.

They helped each other out emotionally and took care of the most vulnerable who struggled to address their own needs. And they comforted those who lost a loved one.

And when the war was over, they built a better world for their children to inherit. Social democracy.

So be grateful for being lucky enough to be a Canadian. There are several other nations that do not enjoy the comforts we feel entitled to.

And maybe have a staycation that you dedicate to ensuring everyone in Canada enjoys the same comforts of food, shelter and utilities.

This season is about giving, not receiving or cashing in on entitlements.

Appreciate what you have. Not what you are denied. The poor practice this daily to survive without necessities.

“Idle hands do the devil’s work.” A proverb accurate & timely during a pandemic.