Humans First, Heroes Second

Humans First, Heroes Second

John Paul Derryberry

I've heard it a lot this week “Not all heroes wear capes.”  If you have ever seen The Incredibles, you know heroes shouldn't wear capes. Yet we can't shake the imagery of a heroic person with a cape flowing in the wind behind them.  Our doctors, nurses, social workers, firefighters, grocery store workers, and much more are keeping as many lives going and as much society running as possible.  These people do their work sans capes, but we have come to realize the heroic deed of doing a job in scary times of uncertainty is an extremely worthy cause. What makes their behavior noble is the fact they are human first, they are not immune to this virus. 

Anxiety - a feeling I rarely experience creeps ever so lightly up my spine during this troubled life moment. I share this because I am one of the people who must head out into the world and take care of others, people who can not take care of themselves without assistance. I do not think for a second the risk I take is as considerable as the doctors, nurses, and yes, grocery store workers take daily.  However,I feel it, the fear, worry, the crippling anxiety these brave souls feel attempting to heal those affected and sadly only lowering the number of deaths.

Each must look at their family and loved ones as they leave for their shift and think today is the day I become infected and bring it home to my nearest and dearest.  I have this thought daily when I say goodbye to my wife and sweet daughters. And that's why it's important to remember the heroes of this crisis are all too human. Heroes, ones that come to mind when we discuss heroes have powers to protect themselves. Super healing, super speed, enhanced sight, high functioning armor, or in Batman's case being super-rich. The heroes in this story are everyday people doing their jobs.

Our heroes have their wits, their training, and an ever-decreasing supply of protective wear. We all know long after that supply has dwindled; they will keep fighting on to save lives, feed everyone, and reduce the mental health symptoms so as not to flood the health care system.  I, along with all the other essential service workers have taken a personal oath to help those who cannot help themselves. In the face of an invisible threat, we accept the risk, swallow our fear, nerves, and anxiety and venture out into a dangerous world to make sure we have a world when this pandemic is over. That very human selfless act makes real heroes. Heroes who are humans first, heroes second. We tend to lean into our myths that heroes are unbeatable, unkillable, and will win in the end.  That's not the case here, our heroes are in danger, and their very human side needs our help to navigate this crisis. When this is over, we will often talk about what we won, and forget to mention what we lost. (That line is stolen directly from a Captain American Movie). We will lose a lot during this, we will lose some heroes. We already have. 

So here we stand witnessing bravery,  our job is to abide by the very real suggestions to stay home, self isolate, self quarantine, and wash your hands to lower the risk for all.  Let's get as many heroes as we can back safely to their families and loved ones when this is over. After all, they are not just doctors, nurses, social workers, and grocery workers.  They are fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters. Save the hero-making for the next generation who writes about this pandemic, they will add in the capes when it's safe to do so.