As our country deals with the Coronavirus and its consequences, a time of crisis, among other things, will no doubt reveal who we really are.  Try as we might to write it off as instinct, but what really gets revealed in a crisis is character. Character reveals who we are for better or worse. Thomas Paine’s famous quote perhaps says it best. “These are the times that try men’s souls.” During a time of crisis such as the Coronavirus, it’s not just a time of anxiety and worries but it affords us a chance, an opportunity, to choose well or badly. In the last week, while grocery shopping I have witnessed both behaviors. I have been jostled, pushed, yelled at and also I have witnessed the opposite behavior; kindness, compassion,  a friendly smile, and a kind word.  Someone dead set on getting 20 rolls of toilet paper, scores of hand sanitizer,  and disinfection towels, was not worth the hassle to stand my ground.  I’ll live to shop another day. Fights did break out.

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If you were to write the word “Crisis”`in Chinese it is composed of two distinct characters, one represents danger the other represents opportunity. Chicago’s last Mayor Rahm Emanuel once was quoted as saying “YOU NEVER LET A SERIOUS CRISIS GO TO WASTE.” A perfect example of the double meaning of CRISIS —  some folks see danger and some see opportunity. Before the danger of the Coronavirus is even neutralized, and the many victims it leaves in its wake are still fresh,  lots of people are seeing opportunity.

The thinking is any kind of crisis can be good, shaping new ideas and spawning new opportunities that we have suddenly been subjected too while avoiding danger. Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot have asked for unprecedented measures to try and stem the onslaught of a fast-moving killer virus. Stay at home, stay 6 feet from each other, just essential movement and groupings, sensible measures to try and save lives and keep people from being sick. Certainly, two leaders that have not given OPPORTUNITY a second thought, saving lives and keeping people from being sick is the sole focus.

Dante says the darkest places in hell are reserved for those who remain neutral in times of a moral crisis. Believe me, I’m no Dante but in my opinion that hell should include those who are second-guessing the life-saving strategies of our leaders, constantly looking for someone or something to blame and ignoring basic decency. Hoarders during a crisis such as a Coronavirus virus are not to be confused with “PREPPERS” who stockpile life-extending goods, such as water, storable food, plants and seeds and YES! weapons and ammunition, simply because if it ever came time for it, others would seize their property.

As soon as the pandemic was announced and America was being attacked by the virus, we saw first-hand thousands of people immediately heading to the stores stockpiling toilet paper(still trying to figure that one out) water, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes, basic groceries such as eggs, pasta, bleach, and many other items that we routinely put into our shopping baskets, were immediately impossible to buy because the hoarders got there first.

Above is a photo of Chicago’s Magnificant mile. A Saturday morning, usually bustling with thousands of shoppers and tourists. Many stores resorting to boarding windows as a precaution to prevent “ALTERNATE SHOPPERS” A new way to describe looters and smash and grabbers. Tonight an entire city will be tested when the stay at home order by the Governor goes into effect. Will we respond with a sense of decency and civic pride or will we see opportunists and bad behavior by those who ignore the danger for selfish gratification.