Of Death in a Global Pandemic, Alexis Rendel ‘21

“Men fear death, as children fear to go in the dark; and as that natural fear in children is increased with tales, so is the other.” - Francis Bacon “Of Death”

Most children don’t fear death because the concept is so foreign to them. As described, their fear rests in natural, seemingly insignificant things such as the dark or clowns - fears they haven’t quite come to understand yet. Physical fears often diminish with age, paving the way for more abstract, intangible fears to grow in their place. Deep-rooted fears, previously buried under the quickly melting iceberg of innocence, such as failure, embarrassment, or death, bubble up to the surface, muting mundane fears until they are no more than slight discomfort. As life goes on, death draws nearer and nearer until it finally shakes hands with us. The unlucky ones greet death prematurely, taking an early ride on death’s unmerciful and unstoppable carriage. Once death makes its cold, definitive choice, it condemns a person to their last living appointment. Accepting this truth, death may grow into an intangible fear or remain as undisputed truth, helping us live relatively unaffected. Those who’ve surpassed half a century in age often accept death with only a bit of chagrin, while those barely into two decades of life are worried their natural proximity to death has started showing on their visage. As the individual ability to deal with fear varies based on age or nature, our emotional responses to both death and fear are compatible. We fear death for our loved ones just as we fear death for ourselves. Dealing with death is a universal experience; we handle it separately but together, mourning individually while surrounded by those closest to us. Contemporary society has recognized death as a singular yet unifying force resulting in modern portrayals of death no longer remaining consistently grotesque, horrid, or simply sorrowful. Compared to the Renaissance or even a few decades ago, we’ve learned to accept death as we learn to accept our fears. Living in fear of death is not truly living. Expecting that final appointment before experiencing any pre-existing symptoms prevents us from ever having a real shot of acceptance or a friendly acquaintance with death. These acquaintances with death are prevalent on a newly consistent worldly scale. Very rarely does the globe harmoniously comprehend a similar fear of death; in war, civil unrest, famine, and pandemic. In these times, death no longer remains an appointment but rather evolves into a devastating cloud looming over all heads. In this recent pandemic, death pollutes an aspect of life everyone thought was safe: air. Rather than penetrating in multiple, inconceivable occurrences, death now comes in a singular method, though still affecting everyone differently. Skeptics hold little regard for this new precipice of death, appearing headstrong and brave until death’s friend and often helper greets them at their door. On the other hand, those overly worried or superstitious forget to live. They’re safe,

and although mocked by skeptics, they remain secluded, protected but in hiding from death, friends, and family, dealing only with an illness growing in their mind. The middle section is quite broad or expansive. Some take risks: staying safe except for a few momentary lapses in judgment. Some focus on seclusion with bouts of life: moving outside, maintaining interactions without immediate fear. Some stay in the dead middle, which in reality, is a vast gray area. The gray area takes risks to experience some semblance of normalcy and life, yet understands and more importantly accepts the consequences of the currently indefinite yet coming finite normal with responsibility and courage.

Additionally, those with reigning power suddenly harness some control over the spread of death during these times. In war, the casualties are on their conscience. In a pandemic, the spread remains in their control. A few leaders believe they are mini Napoleons considering they are the few who take bold risks, but their actions work at the expense of others. Even when death came knocking at their doors or one of death’s companions said “Hello,” these supposed champions of their people remained resistant. For better or for worse, these leaders must protect the world from a pandemic, providing death and friends with a new sparring mate. In the end, however, death will find victory somewhere. Leaders can, will, and have failed in their unnatural battles against death. Global citizens fight alone while living in fear as the friend of death illness turns right around the corner. It is established that no one can conquer death in fiction, taught that death is often inevitable in science, and accepted by those who are up there in years. Throughout this all, it is a universal truth that living in fear of death will not save us from it. It is our choices that urge us closer to death while simultaneously urging us further into a fuller life.

Alexis Rendel ‘21 Scholastic Silver Medal