Life is not a mere string of numbers, but an existence where every single one has meaning. On this planet teeming with billions of lives, the existence of an individual life may seem as insignificant as a drop in the ocean. Yet, in the vastness and immensity of space and time, life, like a star, can struggle and shine briefly in the darkness—this is the meaning of life. In the face of disaster, life shines all the brighter.
Life possesses an unyielding strength.
As stated in *How the Steel Was Tempered*, "When a person is healthy, without illness, and full of youthful vitality, strength is relatively simple and easy; but only when life binds you tightly with iron hoops does that strength become glorious." COVID-19 has stirred up a thousand waves, creating ripples of varying sizes for every living being in this turbulent water. At the heart of this storm, life faces immense trials. When the wings of death relentlessly loom and beat overhead, life can be arbitrarily pulled, twisted, torn, and shattered.
If life is a book, then some people are merely booklets—so shallow, ending inexplicably. Others, however, refuse to accept their fate, fighting against death and striving to write an immortal history of pain and tears. Through countless words, I witnessed that harrowing ordeal. In the ward filled with the pungent smell of medicine, the near-flattened lifeline throbbed weakly every now and then. A COVID-19 patient struggled all night, in a daze, drenched in cold sweat, like a fish out of water in the desert, finally breaking free from the sticky stupor, and life blossomed. Perhaps this is the so-called resilience of life.
The responsibility of life.
In the first month when COVID-19 first spread in China, some Western countries watched coldly, unconcerned, even some politicians with arrogance and prejudice towards China gloating and kicking them while they were down. However, when the epidemic spread in Europe, Italy, as the first European country to experience an outbreak, had the highest mortality rate in the world. When faced with a chaotic situation, China immediately dispatched experienced medical teams and a large amount of medical supplies to aid Italy, a country that had always been hostile to China, choosing to "repay evil with good."
The responsibility for lives transcends national borders and grudges; after all, life is innocent and should not be used as the price for politicians' open and covert attacks. Every act of kindness is rewarded with gratitude: "Only China could save Italy," "Thank you, China." Although some narrow-minded and hostile individuals with prejudiced views still offered their sarcasm, as a major power, China should prioritize life and the overall situation, possessing a broad vision. How could it be so limited? This is what it means to shoulder the responsibility for lives; this is what it means to be a responsible major power.
When the news of the "lockdown" broke, even though it was incredibly boring, because of the importance placed on life, Chinese people could follow the arrangements and stay home obediently, while medical personnel bravely and selflessly stood guard on the front lines. The news of a "lockdown" in Italy turned into a farce. First, there was a mass exodus from airports and train stations across the country, followed by prison riots triggered by the temporary cancellation of visitation. The wealthy emptied supermarkets, while others, underestimating the epidemic, exploited legal loopholes to ignore the lockdown orders and adopted a laissez-faire approach, walking their dogs as if they were above the law. Many people in developed countries prioritize their own interests and rights. When these interests are threatened or their rights are obstructed, a strange ideology called "egoism" begins to take hold. Those who flee with this "egoism" merely bring the virus from its origin to their relatives and friends, spreading it throughout the country and accelerating the spiral of the epidemic out of control, further exacerbating the global crisis.
An Italian parliamentarian, mocked for wearing a mask in a meeting, angrily threw down his microphone, saying, "If you were smart, you would have worn masks long ago instead of making me take them off! I've been to three epidemic areas; have you seen what they're like?" This so-called responsibility for life is not only for oneself but also for others.
US stocks plummeted at the open, raising concerns about a potential recession in the US economy. President Trump tweeted that the US would strongly support aviation and other industries heavily impacted by the "Chinese Virus," declaring, "We will be stronger than ever before!" What is the "Chinese Virus"? It's nothing but racism and xenophobia. Such ignorant statements from a president!
President Trump's arrogant pronouncements and the laughable $1 billion lawsuit filed by Berman's legal team against China demonstrate a profound lack of responsibility. When the responsibility for life is reduced to petty selfishness, politicization, and conspiracy, one can't help but sigh: Alas! This is what is meant by abandoning responsibility for capital and profit.
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