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Solidarity as the way to win the war with coronavirus
In Poland, we believe solidarity is the only way to win the war against the virus.
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A woman puts cloth face masks on a string to dry before distributing them for free around the neighborhood, amid the spread of COVID-19, in Tangerang, on the outskirts of Jakarta, on April 9. (Reuters/Willy Kurniawan)
A
ll generations have their own unique set of experiences, scope of notions, concepts and references that create mass imitation and public discussion. Simultaneously, all generations have their own set of challenges that constitute their contribution to the history of humankind.
My generation was raised during a dark communism period in Poland, with repressions, no freedom of speech, shortages of basic articles and a general lack of hope. The situation of my country and other Central and Eastern European states seemed to be truly hopeless – the Soviet Union was almost unconquerable. It appeared that there was no power to bring freedom for our nations.
However, I remember when the light of freedom began to come back to our homes and families. It was one of the most powerful human phenomena that put us back on the track toward the dream of self-determination. This phenomenon is called solidarity.
In Poland, 10 million people created Solidarność (Solidarity), the union movement that challenged the all-controlling communism regime. Solidarność succeeded in 1989. Consequently, the Berlin Wall was demolished and Europe reunited.
Currently, we have been unexpectedly facing a new invisible challenge. All nations have been struggling to prevent the COVID-19 epidemic. People are staying at home. Global and local supply chains have been disrupted. We all fear for our families. Doctors and nurses are the new heroines and heroes. We are really proud of them.
In Poland, we believe again that solidarity is the only way to win the war against the virus. Solidarity between nations, generations (especially with helping the elderly), families and individuals. As the restrictions in people movement had become inevitable, the Polish government together with the Polish airline LOT decided to roll out widespread operation to bring Polish citizens stranded around the globe back to Poland.
During the so-called LOTdoDomu (flight-to-home) operation, 388 flights took off from 71 different airports, with almost 55,000 passengers on board, including 2,000 other nationals. Two of these flights also brought 30 Indonesians back home.
Recently, Poland’s government decided to send medical assistance to Italy. The first part of it was dispatched on April 7. We strongly hope that while fighting the coronavirus at home there is also an obligation to support all nations in need.
Let me refer to John Paul II on the 100th anniversary of his birth. The pope from Poland underlined that solidarity was not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say, to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all. This is the message we need to recall now.
Polish history proves that there are two values, two ideas and two very human concepts that can overcome even the most forceful regimes and powers - namely freedom and solidarity. They are the source of our common obligation to stand together, build trust and consolidate all nations’ experience, resources and wits to win the fight with the invisible coronavirus. And at the end of this dark day, to strengthen our global community.
***
Ambassador of Poland to Indonesia
