This last week has been the most incredible… in the most negative way. The gradual shutdown of the world following the Coronavirus pandemic will affect all of us. On Monday of last week, my work dried up entirely in one afternoon. While worried and saddened by this, having already seen what’s been going on with the world, the situation was already put into perspective. Within 24 hours, so many of my peers and friends were going through the same thing. Within days, the Government announced radical plans to help the nation cope during this unprecedented time.
What a difference a week makes
Typing this blog almost a week later, the situation with Covid-19 has escalated rapidly and finally, the penny is dropping in terms of how severe this pandemic really is! Schools have closed, as have bars, restaurants, gyms etc. and we are strongly advised to practice social distancing. The prospect of having my children home for the entire summer is now a strong possibility. How I used to moan about the six weeks holiday being too long… I’d give anything to have that back now!
Re-evaluate and Reset
And there’s the thing. The events of 2020 will make us all re-evaluate the things that we either took for granted or used to drive us mad! Reading about how others are sacrificing their lives so that we can be safe have been sobering, to say the least. Stories of nurses working on the frontline, not having direct contact with their children when they return home for fear of passing on the virus. I will be trying my best to remember this when I’m moaning about being stuck indoors with my two cherubs!
The times we’ve moaned about waiting for a drink at a bar – boy, what we’d give to have that problem right now! I really do hope that we will all be better people when this all comes to an end.
Time is a Gift
This period of isolation, for me personally, will allow me to do the things I’ve been putting off. I’m one for purchasing training courses and resources and not making full use of them through lack of time. Well, it’s time to make a plan to start upskilling myself ready for when we come out the other side. This is a chance for you to do those things you’ve been putting off. Will my wardrobes be sorted out by the time this thing is over? We’ll see!
Acts of Kindness
Good or bad, the internet is a great place to find inspiring stories of kindness and selflessness. Local Facebook Groups popping up to help those in need, industries thinking outside the box to help others. So many businesses sharing their knowledge for free to help others. We’re all in this together, so let’s start acting like it, instead of being angry and selfish.
The Ugly Side of Greed
With every act of kindness, there are also ugly signs of greed. With people stripping the shelves to have months worth of food leaving others without – those usually that need it the most.
If you have enough basic food to last two weeks – then why go out and buy more for the sake of it?
It’s disgusting to see people profiteering from selling highly sought after goods knowing that people will pay over the odds to protect themselves.
I do wonder if, at the end of all this, if we will look at material things differently. I certainly have been thinking about what is really important and so incredibly grateful for the things I have. In the future, will we tolerate the likes of Kanye and Kim with their over the top private jets and mansions? Will we care about these ‘influencers’ that grace our social media timelines? Will we care once we’ve been given a harsh lesson in what’s really important?
Heal the World
One of the most astonishing things to see is the positive effect that our social distancing across the globe is having on the environment. Already, Venice’s canals have become clearer, and the coasts of Italy have dolphins coming nearer and nearer. China has record-breaking pollution cuts. The absence of human pollution is already making a difference to the planet.
Without trying to sound like Greta Thunberg, it makes you wonder if this virus is Mother Nature’s way of putting the breaks on the damage that we’ve done to the planet. Our self-isolation feels like we’ve been sent to our rooms to think about what we’ve done. The satellite pictures of the Earth over the coming months will certainly be interesting.
Preparing for this moment
When you think about how technology has been developing over the past decade, you can almost see us preparing for this moment. With the ability for so many to work at home, shop online, consume training and self-development and virtually meet and connect with the rest of the world.
For so long, people have been crying out for flexible working and the ability to work at home to achieve a work/life balance. Will companies now wake up to the fact that people can work as well at home as they do in the workplace.
With all these advancements, have we been sub-consciously getting ready for this catastrophic event to happen?
Small Sacrifices
There is no doubt that we have some tough times ahead – we’ve had nothing like this since the World Wars. The difference is, young lads were willing to go out and fight for their country, often lying about their age to do so. We’re being asked to stay in, sit on our sofas and watch Netfilx – and we’re struggling to do that!
It’s time to step up, do as we’re told by those in power and think of others. This is no longer an over-reaction of a flu-like virus that many of us felt at the start of the month. This is getting serious, and we need to be there for each other – albeit virtually!
Stay safe and love and hugs,
Mum Running Life 