Essential values in pandemic times

On March 11, 2020, WHO declared the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak as a pandemic and reiterated the call for countries to take immediate actions and scale up the response to treat, detect, and reduce transmission to save people's lives.

The pandemic is the worst period in modern history. The deadly enemy is an invisible and contagious virus. The survival of the people depends basically on their attitude and values in life. What character values help and guide people to survive the pandemic?

The foundation of man's character is on his set of values. These values are the beliefs and ideas that help the way he lives. Taking time to visit and comfort a friend whose parents died during the pandemic shows the values of compassion.

Values can guide your choice to make every day. These values are in one's actions. For example, you show honesty when you write your real name and identity in your FB account instead of your alias and phony name. This value will guide your actions even if others hide or lie about their identity and interests. Values also show in what you say and how you say it. You display courtesy when you speak or text kindly and respectfully to others.

In addition, values are how you post a message on social media. Suggesting something to give room for improvement instead of criticizing harshly displays maturity, fairness, and a caring attitude. However, a person who risks criticism from others to stand up for a principle sends a loud and clear message about integrity. You should think carefully about your values and how they positively influence behavior.

Learned values

You learn values at home from family through what they teach and the examples they set. Throughout life, you may also acquire values from other sources. Schools and places of worship teach values. So can friends, books, radio programs, TV, and lately the internet and social media. The values learned by a person from different sources are likely to be his life values.

Shared values

People's values often vary from one place to another, from one generation to the next. However, people of all cultures share some common values. Values that are generally accepted and shared worldwide are called universal values. They are the bond that makes positive and peaceful interaction among people possible. Universal values include courage, fairness, freedom, honesty, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness. Although these values are in the world, people place different importance on them. When these sets of values apply, they can transform lives. A person who can keep these values for life will stand out among others worthy of emulation and commendation.

Life is difficult but these values will serve as our daily guide in making choices and making good decisions.

Essential values

In these pandemic times, the character values of courage, obedience, respect, and responsibility play significant roles in our survival. People need the courage to get inoculated, obey health safety protocol, and respect authority. Let us be a responsible law-abiding citizen.

The pandemic teaches us many lessons about life survival from basic to complex. So we need to listen carefully with a positive attitude and a set of values to guide our way.