Page 40 - CLT122120

40 ¦ DECEMBER 21, 2020 CLOSING ARGUMENT

EDITORIAL BOARD

COVID-19’s Unquantified Victim—
Camaraderie

A Photo: Shutterstock
s the coronavirus pandemic has hollowed out began to identify and quantify a phenomenon we
our lives and ravaged our society, we’ve expe- all intuitively knew was happening; i.e., the wide-
rienced and then measured the devastation spread inimical effect it was having on the emotion-
left in its wake. First, the new cases, hospitalizations al and mental well-being of even those who escaped
and deaths became a daily reporting exercise, and infection.
then we began to focus on positivity rates and the But there is one consequence of COVID-19
graphics illustrating the growth or decline of infec- which has enjoyed little or no attention, much less
tions over time. All obvious, and easily but painfully, quantification, but which should be of concern to
quantified consequences of the disease. all members of the bar—and that is the pandem-
Similarly, when the spread of the virus and the ic’s effect on the camaraderie among its members.
resulting shutdowns that were implemented in an Webster defines that term as “a spirit of friendly
effort to control it began to take their toll on the good fellowship.” It might also be described as the
economy, the damage was again obvious and easily invaluable intangible that is so important to the dis-
measured, using all the usual economic indicators, charge of our duties to the court and our clients;
such as increases in unemployment levels and de- a resource to be carefully nourished and nurtured,
creases in the GDP. because without it the friction and confrontation
Then, as the pandemic continued its relentless inherent in what we do will dominate the process,
run, social scientists and mental-health experts to the great detriment of all stakeholders.

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