03/11/2022
Pandemic virtues:
Generosity
Generosity is the habit of giving without an expectation of return. This virtue will become increasingly important as the pandemic intensifies.
Not everyone has the same risk for developing severe disease. Adults over 70 years of age have a much higher risk of fatal infection, probably 10–20 times higher, than younger adults.
Generosity applies as well to our use of health care. The vast majority of people who contract the virus will experience mild symptoms, no worse than a cold or a mild flu.
As hospitals and doctors come under greater strain, those patients with mild symptoms should choose self-quarantine at home, rather than taking up valuable medical resources.
Similarly, during a public health crisis such as this, people should consider delaying non-critical medical care so as to reduce strain on the medical system.