The Importance of Non Sibi During the Coronavirus Crisis

Within the past week, it has become increasingly apparent that the coronavirus crisis will only be effectively addressed if everyone, from the local to global scale, does their part—not only to follow public health guidelines, but also to show one another kindness during these tumultuous times. In other words, everyone should be non sibi, or live “not for one’s self,” now more than ever. This is not going to be easy for a lot of people, but we all need to consider how we can serve our Exeter community to the best of our abilities. We all need to lean in and embrace a more generous, equitable and aware mindset.

As Principal Rawson stated in a school-wide email, “In the spirit of non sibi, we are guided by our responsibilities to our communities, local and global, to help manage this unprecedented public health situation.” From “flattening the curve” with social distancing to simply doing grocery runs for at-risk elderly neighbors, community-oriented acts really are crucial to protecting ourselves and our loved ones. 

Yet, much of this requires sacrifice: the sacrifice of fun gatherings with friends, the sacrifice of economic stability or even jobs, the sacrifice of high-quality education (I’m sorry, nothing can replace in-person Harkness discussions with a real Harkness table) and so on. At its core, the solution to the coronavirus crisis requires us to sacrifice some of our individual freedom. With necessary but restrictive rules like 8 p.m. curfews or the required physical closure of restaurants, we simply aren’t free to do what we please anymore.

Unfortunately, for many people, and particularly those who strongly (or at least claim to) believe in America’s principles of freedom, this necessary sacrifice sadly appears to be too much. Worse still, many doubt the severity of the problem to begin with. Already, sibi behavior has complicated efforts to address the coronavirus outbreak and consequently put many innocent lives at risk. 

One of the most obvious examples is the highly inconsiderate, potentially dangerous practice of hoarding, whether it be of medical supplies or basic needs like food and water. In particular, people like now-infamous Matt Colvin, who monopolized entire stocks of needed goods like hand sanitizer, exemplify the dangers of sibi behavior in these dangerous times. Colvin had hoarded 17,700 bottles of hand sanitizer in the hopes of profiting off the increased demand. Not only do people like Colvin take away resources from the doctors and sick patients that actually need them, but they also contribute to the hysteria and swindle powerless people out of their money. Colvin, by the way, has remorsefully donated his supply after receiving much online backlash; currently, he is under investigation by the Tennessee Attorney General’s office for price gouging. 

Of course, the fundamental business model driving people like Colvin is not new. Nor is selling and profiting from needed products inherently evil—grocery stores purchase goods and resell them at a margin all the time. However, everyday markups in grocery stores are not several (in Colvin’s case, fifteen) times the value of the original product. This is especially true of vital products like water or toilet paper. Still, Colvin decided to exploit the situation by price gouging. He is a prime example, though hardly the only, of “knowledge without goodness.” 

But price gouging isn’t the only problem, even if it’s a particularly egregious example. Those who stockpile goods should know that they are engaging in sibi behavior: stores and governments have made it clear that there is no shortage of goods, and that there is nothing justifying this “every man for himself” mentality. There will only be a shortage, of course, if people hoard. They should know that their actions disproportionately harm the less privileged, particularly those who rely on food stamps.

Other examples of sibi behavior include recklessly violating social distancing guidelines out of ignorance or “rebellion,” spreading rumors because of a personal agenda (or ignorance, again), and engaging in the unfounded racism and classism surging right about now. All of these examples further the spread of the coronavirus, weaken treatment efforts or do both. Since the coronavirus is a worldwide problem, not an isolated case, intentionally or unintentionally fostering more divisionis quite self-destructive. This sibi behavior parallels that of anti-vaxxers, who disrupt herd immunity and bring about the return of once-eradicated, now-returned diseases like measles. Sibi people now too will surely worsen the community’s ability to handle the coronavirus crisis.

It will take non sibi, then, to bring us back to “normal” and to create supportive and safe environments.

Fortunately, many people and organizations have already taken this initiative. For example, fashion label Louis Vuitton recently announced that their perfume factories would be repurposed to produce free hand sanitizer for the masses. For once, companies, even those in Silicon Valley, are prioritizing their customers’ and employees’ well-being over their shareholders’ interests by increasing wages, offering improved benefits like more paid sick leave and providing discounted goods and services. Recognizing the importance of short and long-term public health, leaders have realized they cannot survive if their community cannot. 

But even if you don’t lead a multi-billion dollar company, you can still be non sibi and have a significant impact on those around you. By simply following public health guidelines like washing your hands (properly, for twenty seconds with soap and warm water), donating to those in need or helping family members and friends adjust to life at home, you will be combatting coronavirus too. 

With the understanding that our neighbor’s health is just as important as our own, we may still come out of this crisis with relatively few losses and, more importantly, an even closer community.