"In the context of the current COVID-19 outbreak, the mad scramble to stockpile toilet paper, meats, and kitchen towels, therefore, represent freedom to pursue happiness and avoid pain through rational self-interest. Sheathes of paper, piles of meat, and cans of baked beans represent ownership of stuff/property that promote freedom and pleasure, and hence, independence from others in freely pursuing individual hygiene, and satisfying carnal cravings. Mad dashing towards the grocery aisles represent our instinctual transactional essence for pursuit of happiness by deferring the pain of crisis (absence of such stuff). Social distancing instantly makes sense for most Americans because suddenly, the freedom to not be interfered with, or the penchant for alienation and isolation, is now medically desirable..." an excerpt from What us COVID-19 Teaching Us About Being Human? by Dr. Ipsita Chatterjee, published in New Politics. Photo courtesy CNN.