The histories of this moment are already being pre-written.  Beware!  Those who are systematically forced into dangerous—even fatal—labor in the name of preserving essential services are framed as self-sacrificing heroes and patriots.  Much of this labor is not only reserved for the poor, but is gendered and racialized as well, meaning despite claims that we “are all in this together” the burden falls more heavily on women, people of color, and the poor.  Meanwhile the subjectivities of innumerable others are being shaped for new forms of biopolitical imprisonment and having their already limited capacities for political action further constrained.  Our genuine feelings of appreciation and expressions of care for one another are being captured and channeled by governmental and corporate media collaborations that will be all-to-happy to return to the “normalcy” of austerity when the pandemic no longer poses a substantial threat to their ability to profit. 

 

During this crisis and beyond, we must ensure that our communities of care and mutual aid are strengthened and that our connections with one another are deepened on a level that does not require the mediation of governments and corporate narratives that conceal the inequities of the risks under empty banners of unity and togetherness.  We cannot allow the story told of this pandemic to turn the loss of life—so much of it unnecessary—and freedom—much of which will not be easily reclaimed—into heroic acts of service to the fascistic nations and neoliberal economies that continue to murder and enslave for power and profit.  The enslavement of essential workers is not voluntary sacrifice.  Our self-imprisonment can be an act of care, but we must think beyond it to create new forms of community and practices of mutual aid.