I thought I’d start off the week with some positivity. I’m sure you’re getting enough fear from your regular news diet. Last night I was thinking about some of the positive developments I’ve noticed emerge during the COVID-19 crisis.
It seems as though we are aware of the distance between ourselves and other humans like never before. I felt this while I was picking up supplies at Canadian Tire last week. Usually, this means making sure there is a distance of at least 1-2 meters between yourself and others, especially strangers.
Ironically, this awareness of the distance that separates people may be bringing us closer together. Friends are Skyping each other; roommates are hanging out together on a Saturday night; families are checking up on one another. We are using social media to socialize (this one I find most incredible!) People are rightfully scared, but so is everyone, which makes the fear tolerable. We’re getting through this together.
Also, people are standing up for the little guy: empathizing with restaurant and hospitality industry workers without income, encouraging people to support local businesses, standing up for cashiers bullied by panicked shoppers, shaming companies that aren’t providing paid sick leave, thanking nurses, doctors, service workers, cashiers, and many others who are under-appreciated in good times.
People who aren’t working tirelessly to keep society afloat are reprioritizing. Many of us are off work or working from home. The physical distance between us and work diminishes its presence in our lives. We are reminding one another to “stay safe and healthy”. Many of us are taking this opportunity to catch up on reading, clean our homes, try new recipes, adopt hobbies, learn new skills, or even just take it easy for a change. I love hearing about the many ways in which people are keeping themselves occupied during quarantine.
I’m not naïve. There is a lot to be concerned about. For the first time in my lifetime, societal collapse is a very real possibility. A lot of people are suffering or are going to suffer before this is all over. Many don’t have people in their lives that can help them ride out the quarantine. If you are reading this and feel lonely, please send me a message.
Also, these developments have thus far not resulted in any long-term meaningful change. Once this crisis passes, we could all just go back to being dead inside. Maybe we go back to physically interacting but mentally distancing. Maybe we go back to ignoring grocery store workers and nurses. Maybe we don’t actually learn to knit after all.
But then again, maybe we do. That’s why this Coronavirus crisis is an opportunity. I am cautiously optimistic (unusual for someone who likes to imagine the worst-case scenario just to be prepared for it). I hope you can feel this way too. At the very least, I hope that seeing some positives through all the doom and gloom helps you make it to Tuesday.
Please share the positive things you’ve noticed. Comment below or connect with us on social media (Facebook or Instagram).