We used to visualize heroes as men and women wearing capes with or without masks. Today’s heroes may not wear capes, but they definitely wear masks. Among today’s heroes are: doctors, nurses, and aids sacrificing well being to valiantly save the lives of those attacked by the evil corona virus. Heroes fly into present action rather than weighing themselves down with fear of the future. We must learn from them.

It’s difficult to remain dedicated and positive with a dearth of sleep, supplies, and comfort, yet heroes persevere beyond frustration, beyond tolerance, and beyond impatience. Manufacturers are coming to the rescue by retooling to fill urgent needs, and small workplaces are refocusing to replenish necessities.

Heroes are stressed physically and emotionally. Elizabeth Jaeger, an artist, and Cady Chaplin, a nurse in Manhattan, collaborated on a campaign for artists to submit illustrations thanking healthcare workers. Their contributions decorate hospital ICUs with uplifting posters to keep the mood cheerful and positive for both patients and caregivers.

Daily meal planning and nutrition have new importance. Restaurants and food service companies are coming to the rescue. Some donate meals to feed healthcare workers; others do the same for those unemployed, indigent, or homeless. The same is true of pharmaceutical supplies. For those of us who can afford to fill our own needs, innovative customer service is the byword (perhaps buyword is more accurate). Retailers are learning from one another, reinventing ways to provide safe shopping, pickup, and delivery.

We’re grateful for police, teachers, government workers, gas stations, providers of light, heat, Wi-Fi, TV, garbage pickup, mail, and package delivery. These heroes risk contact with the virus while filling our wants and needs.

We’re all in this together yet it’s easy to overlook the impact our actions have on others when we're isolated at home. Lao Tzu offers this insight: “Simplicity, patience, compassion — these three are your greatest treasures.” We see them in action as children tape crayoned rainbows to windows of their homes and adults leave signs like these of simple gratitude.

We have time and renewed personal interest in others. There’s an upsurge in phone conversations among family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. We listen attentively to their stories and show compassion for their predicaments.

To combat the evil of Covid-19 we must all be heroes. Our superpowers lie in our unshakable commitment to isolate physically and to be supportive emotionally.

Put on your mask.

Be a hero.

Images courtesy of the artists and Elizabeth Jaegar, Hyperallergic.com