A few days ago, I saw a nurse cry her parents’ deaths of coronavirus infections, bemoaning her role in transmitting the virus. In her restless sleep, she tossed and turned, pondering how the virus could have filtrated through her meticulous net. I can only fancy her guilty feelings if she had engaged in risky behavior unrelated to her job.
The news prompted me to write this note. I thought about any previous situation in the animal world, history, or fiction where, unbeknown to them, scores of healthy individuals turn into carriers of their loved ones’ deaths. I found none. Not even in horror movies or terrifying novels. The Coronavirus’ cruelty and the number of people who bear this curse exceed human imagination. As the nurse, some of us can be victims of committing fatal harm despite careful attention to guidelines and ordinances. But others do so through reckless behavior with no consideration for others. Most will get away with it, but quite a few will end up in court, prey of fastidious lawyer’s attacks and judges’ justice. Smartphones and public cameras monitored us. There will be suits, indictments, monetary compensations, and even jail terms. The inflicted deaths will be judged the same way a magistrate would if their cars had killed a pedestrian without malice. In either case, a person died. Appealing to individual liberties will not prevail in court. Nor will pointing to any high authority’s example since they hire an army of assistants who ensure their safety and lack of exposure to this vicious virus.

Stay safe and happy Fourth of July!