Consciousness is one of nature’s most enigmatic phenomena. However, admittedly, it is just a part of the natural environment. It must have developed at a certain point as a result of biological processes occurring inside the causally linked system that everybody calls nature. Throughout decades of philosophical and scientific studies, classifications, explanations, and arguments, consciousness remains confusing and disputed, being both the most recognizable and enigmatic element of our life.
Perhaps the only ultimately held belief on the subject is that it exists. Nevertheless, social conscience is peoples’ role and responsibility in society in the context of an emotionally engaged understanding of the world. For instance, when COVID-19 emerged, people began to create new restrictions and rules all over the world in order to prevent the disease spread. Therefore, the heightened atmosphere of celebration in some cities was forgotten because of conscious people. People’s consciousness has prevented a massive spread of coronavirus, and the situation on Bourbon street is a great example.
In general, human consciousness is related to people’s active approach toward the world. The policies which were created by the authorities exemplify this the best. It comes from labor activity, of which it is an organic component. Not only does consciousness entails a perception of reality, but it also reveals a psychological structure of social labor’s plans. This structure leads and drives the subjective and ideal form of the transformative labor relation to another social world.
It can be observed that consciousness represents knowledge of the objective reality in terms of people’s constructive engagement with nature when studying the relationship between social consciousness and labor. According to Kriegel, “consciousness science differs markedly from other scientific disciplines” (3). Even though it is rather tedious to understand the nature of consciousness, people still manage to perform the right decisions at the right moment.
Bourbon Street represents the energy of a party town for tourists to New Orleans. The roadway is flooded by neon lights with different decorations, the street beats with music and adorns with balconies. As a matter of fact, it is named “for a royal family in France and not the amber-colored alcohol, Bourbon Street has become a place for revelry of all sorts” (New Orleans). Even though many things change in New Orleans, the brightness and energy of Bourbon Street remain constant. Bourbon Street is a popular place for bachelorette and bachelor celebrations and anybody who is looking forward to having a good time while strolling from one place to another. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 appeared in the United States, and all the light and power of this street decreased.
One of the most famous celebrations on Bourbon Street in New Orleans is Mardi Gras, where it marks the end of weeks of parades that began in January. Mardi Gras stands for French translation “Fat Tuesday.” This is the day before the beginning of the Christian Lenten season that continues to Easter. The name “Fat Tuesday” alludes to the final day of consuming luxurious meals before the shorter days of Lent begin.
New Orleans’ annual Mardi Gras celebrations appear significantly different this year due to the coronavirus epidemic with clubs shuttered, parades canceled, and crowds restricted. Mardi Gras is often associated with eating and spectacular celebrations. Every year, Mardi Gras celebrations occur worldwide, with most of the greatest and possibly most well-known taking place in Catholic New Orleans.
The Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans last year are now considered to have led to increased COVID-19 infections. At some point, in order to prevent the virus from spreading this year, New Orleans Mayor has set temporary limitations for Mardi Gras, in addition to the existing safeguards. All bars in the city, even those with temporary restaurant licenses, were closed for five days. Moreover, the New Orleans Police Department has issued a warning that any companies caught in violation of the order would be sealed on the spot.
The pandemic, particularly coronavirus, causes considerable economic, social, and political disruption. People consider it a massive epidemic of infectious illness that can significantly increase morbidity and death across a vast geographic region. Evidence may suggest that pandemics have become more likely over the last century due to increased global travel and integration, changes in land use, and more exploitation of the natural environment. Although not all scientists and philosophers could find the proper description and state the term consciousness, it still helps humans prevent horrendous consequences by accomplishing the most beneficial decisions.
For instance, officials have made a deliberate conclusion from the terrific effect of COVID-19 last year. Consequently, they were “hoping to avoid a repeat of Mardi Gras 2020, which attracted over a million people to New Orleans to celebrate Carnival and unknowingly contributed to the outbreak and caused the city’s hospitals to reach capacity” (NBC News). Consciousness is a unique characteristic that separates people from other beings on our planet.
In conclusion, the situation in New Orleans exemplifies how authorities took measures and made people forget the intense atmosphere of huge cities due to the frightening expectations and deliberate decisions. Additionally, communities have experienced various restrictions such as social distancing in places that were normally crowded, wearing surgical masks, and prolong sitting at home. The situation with Mardi Gras exemplifies the best how people could acquire thoughtful steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Works Cited
“New Orleans Businesses Brace for Mardi Gras Shutdown.” NBC News. 2021. Web.
“Bourbon Street | New Orleans Streets to Visit.” New Orleans. Web.
Kriegel, Uriah. The Oxford Handbook of the Philosophy of Consciousness (Oxford Handbooks). Oxford University Press, 2020.