Both roots and lungs internalize elements from the environment that arenecessary for life.Perhaps tree : earth :: humans : air. Is one of the lessons the coronavirustaught us that we are connected to each other through air, through the verysubstance that seems to enable us to perceive our “separateness?”
for - similarity - other examples - See David Suzuki story of connectedness - https://hyp.is/wX0a4hIVEfCMFXfYYI59ag/www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wtUMM8SDws - including Harlow Shapley story about connectedness through air - https://hyp.is/D2oQhhIZEfCsoYcIvR8Ang/www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wtUMM8SDws