Astrophysicist Urges Space-Based Reflection To Deal With Pandemic And ‘Racedemic’

With the ongoing pandemic caused by the coronavirus and the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson urged the public to reflect on Earth from an astronaut’s perspective.

On Twitter, Tyson recently asked his followers to use the reflection method known as the overview effect to deal with the issues currently happening in the country. Aside from the rising death doll and confirmed cases brought on by COVID-19, the country is also struggling against racism, which the astrophysicist referred to as “racedemic.”

The issue, sparked by the killing of Floyd by a police officer, triggered nationwide protests. Some of these movements turned into riots that resulted in looting and the destruction of private property.

According to Tyson, reflecting on Earth from the perspective of an astronaut will provide people with a bigger picture of the things that are truly important in the world. In a recent tweet, he referred to a quote delivered by former NASA astronaut Edgar Mitchell, who explored the lunar surface during the agency’s Apollo 14 mission in 1971.

“Amid the turbulence of a pandemic & racedemic, I offer this reflection on what Earth looks like from space, as only an Apollo astronaut can tell it,” Tyson stated.

The astrophysicist then posted an image from Mitchell. As noted by the astronaut, gazing at the Earth from the Moon provided him with a global consciousness that allowed himself to sympathize with the hardships that other people in the world were going through.

Aside from Tyson, scientist Bill Nye, most commonly known as Bill Nye the Science Guy, also delivered a statement to address the recent unfortunate events in the country. Through a recent tweet, Nye condemned the killing of Floyd and the ongoing racism in the country. He also called for better leadership and reforms within the law enforcement system.

“The horrific murder of George Floyd and the countless others before him makes this issue more urgent than ever,” he stated. “We need to listen to those who have been speaking out against racism — for longer than we have been listening. We need diverse leadership, reformed policing and better educational and economic opportunities for the oppressed.”