The Covid-19 pandemic has had some positive outcomes, one of which is reemergence of the realisation that we are all human and, as the old saw goes: If we don’t hang together we will all hang separately! The need to isolate to prevent the spread of infection, has, paradoxically, resulted in much more social cooperation. In a very short space of time, people have realised that some neighbours, alone or in pairs, have always been isolated and, despite social distancing, it is important they are checked on and helped with obtaining food and other essentials. Previously, before the pandemic, one behaved as belonging to a tribe centred around work, education, music or leisure activities, and people who occupied the same building or street were overlooked and sometimes deliberately ignored.

Early humans had to be tribal to survive and despite individual differences and occupations they had to cooperate to ensure everyone was fed and safe from predators. It seems that our earlier tribes, like current ones, numbered around 50 -150. Nothing much has changed – we are all happier in moderately sized familiar groups. However, the need for social distancing has broken the cohesion of our normal and familiar tribal structure and created an unfamiliar separation. This in turn has led to the realisation that there are others around us who lack the benefits of being in a tribe.

But a tribe is made up of relatives and friends of different ages. The elders have traditionally provided their knowledge and experience; mature adults do whatever work is necessary; youths may also work, but are learning their roles, and the youngest are cared for, taught and fed. The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the tribal structure. Elders are at the greatest risk and need to be carefully protected in isolation; many workers have lost their jobs, cannot contribute as they would like and are often confined to babysitting and teaching roles. But what about the youths?

Young people are at the least risk of serious illness due to the virus and are looking for a role. This is their opportunity to make a worthwhile contribution to their tribe and society as a whole. They could be the models of how to behave during the pandemic. With training, and after testing negative to the virus, they could circulate in their neighborhoods and provide instruction on how best to prevent transfer of infection, visit the isolated, deliver food and other supplies, entertain and educate the youngest and, with suitable precautions, even provide company for their elders in isolation. Here also is an opportunity for youth groups such Scouts and Guides to explore new roles in society.