A Conversation with Gypsy the Philosophical Cat About the Coronavirus

Gypsy: I’m wondering what all the excitement is lately?
Paul: Well, I’m sure you have heard about the coronavirus, haven’t you?
Gypsy: How could I have not heard about it? You have that blasted box on all the time.
Paul: You mean the radio? I’m trying to keep informed about the latest news about the virus.
Gypsy: I can’t even hear the birds chirping with the radio going day and night. Even when I go outside, it is hard to hear.
Paul: My apologies to you. I know how important it is for you to be close to nature. I’ve noticed you going outside more lately now that they weather is nicer.
Gypsy: Perhaps you can tell me exactly what the coronavirus is and why there is such a ruckus about it. On one hand, I hear the president saying this isn’t something to worry about and that the economy is more important than the consequences of the virus. What is the coronavirus anyway? I don’t think I have seen any lately.
Paul: Well, you wouldn’t see it. You would need a very powerful microscope to see it.
Gypsy: If I had a microscope, what would it look like.
Paul: It would maybe look a little like a green fuzz ball with little arms sticking out of it. Maybe like one of those burs that sometimes gets stuck in animals’ fur.
Gypsy: It sounds like a hair ball I might cough up! I can’t exactly see why people would be afraid of something they can’t even see.
Paul: Unfortunately, this virus can make some folks very sick and they can even die from it. It can upset the body’s immune system which can cause havoc within the body.
Gypsy: Can cats get the virus? I heard that people should avoid petting their animals.
Paul: No, cats and dogs can’t get it, but people could leave the virus on their animal and pass it along to someone else. They recommend washing your hands before and after petting your animal.
Gypsy: I want to make it clear that I don’t belong to anyone other than myself thank you!
Paul: Yes, I understand. I was just passing on info that I heard.
Gypsy: I understand that this virus came from animals and was passed on to humans. If humans weren’t constantly invading the territory of animals, this might not take place. I might add that humans have been surviving for millennia with nature. I heard about one group of
indigenous people who don’t get any diseases because they have such a strong constitution.

Paul: Yes, it is important that we keep healthy so that if we come in contact with the virus, our immune system will just throw it off. That is why I grow healthy food for folks.
Gypsy: What about the president’s concern that the we mustn’t let the economy fail as a result of the virus. Don’t we need to protect the economy?
Paul: It depends on whether you think money is more important than people. I would favor protecting people. Also, we need to consider the health care workers who are on the front
line trying to help people who are severely ill. We have an obligation to consider their needs and what they are going through. In some cases they must decide who gets treatment and who doesn’t.
Gypsy: I’ve been thinking that there must be something good about this virus in a world that is collapsing from human over-population and climate crisis.
Paul: Are you suggesting that if there were fewer of us, it would be better for the world?
Gypsy: Yes and no. What I mean is that since the pandemic began, there are a lot fewer cars on the road to run over animals and I don’t hear as many planes in the air. People are staying at home more and not buying and using so many products. All this means that less
energy is being consumed and fewer polluting gases are going into the atmosphere to warm up the planet. The virus seems like a small drop in the bucket compared to the tragedy that is being caused by the climate crisis. Fires killed a billion animals in Australia, yet I didn’t hear a big outcry over that.
Paul: You are of course correct and you seem to be keeping your eye on the larger picture. The virus seems like it may be around for some time and the impact it may have on our economic system and way of life may be extensive. And as you suggest, there may be some
real benefits to this. In China, air pollution has been reduced by industries closing, so fewer people are suffering and dying from polluted air. What I wonder is how these changes could be pave the way for real changes in our society and around the world?
Gypsy: You mean people would learn to live more ecologically, use less resources, and learn how just to live in harmony with the world?
Paul: I think you hit the nail on the head. If we learn to live with less, we will reduce our impact on the environment and live a more fulfilling and meaningful life as you have suggested in many of our conversations. We will need to work less, drive less and be at
home more so we can enjoy relaxing. But I’m afraid we humans can be workaholics at times.
Gypsy: I would recommend that humans learn to meditate like cats do. It takes very little energy and while we are meditating we are sending out positive messages to the earth and all its creatures so it can heal from the damage that man has inflicted.
Paul: I think this is a very important message you are conveying and other people should hear about it. Have you considered making this part of your presidential platform?

Gypsy: This is always been a major part of my platform, to transform our current way of life so it allows all creatures a say and a place in the future of the world. And this includes humans as well. We can’t continue our current trends which value progress based solely on
never ending growth. We need to value ungrowth and learn to use resources wisely especially alternative energy sources. This could lead to a scaling back of the economy and reducing the release of greenhouse gases.
Paul: And you would suggest that people shouldn’t just sit there, they should do nothing? I’m kidding of course, and I think I understand what you are saying. If nothing else, the coronavirus has slowed things down and made people think about life in a different way. But
won’t things just pick up again after the virus has passed?
Gypsy: It depends whether humans learn a lesson from all this: that they don’t need to have all the things that they are told they need. That happiness comes from living very simply and meeting basic needs in the simplest and most direct way. Like your gardening.
Paul: Like you sitting in the sun in the morning to warm up?
Gypsy: Exactly and humans can build houses that utilize the sun in the same way and don’t require all the fossil fuels to heat and cool them. But it needs to be a change in the way people view themselves and the world. That they are part of an ecosystem that relies on all
the parts, even viruses to survive!
Paul: I’m glad we had this conversation. I will try to limit listening to the radio and will spend more time enjoying the sounds of nature outside. It may help me relax and not feel like I have to be doing something all the time. I appreciate our conversations and what I can learn from you!
Gypsy: Cats have always been advisors to humans, when humans take the time to listen.
Paul: Blessed be!