In the last few weeks I have read a number of articles about the impact of Coronavirus on healthcare, financial markets and commerce, so it was heartening to listen to an uplifting message from BBC Radio London with a human perspective.
This pandemic has changed the ways in which we buy, interact, work and even observe hygiene. The medical professionals among us are dealing with moral conflicts and life-or-death decisions as healthcare systems are overburdened.
Those who have the capacity to stockpile and self-preserve have the opportunity to pause and give thought those who do not have the means or capacity to do so.
Ubuntu
Communities are showing solidarity to members who are self-isolating or under quarantine. Even with social distancing come unprecedented demonstrations of ubuntu. These acts of kindness offer hope in times of despair.
Governments are leading more decisively with some being swift to implement empathetic solutions to citizens. Some retailers and financial services providers are also considering the human impact of this virus, offering dedicated shopping hours to the elderly or deferring debt repayments.
Businesses have been forced into action to ride out this storm – to provide continued employment and safe working environments for their staff.
Through the challenges and joys of child-care and home schooling, families are being brought closer together. Many of us have a renewed sense of appreciation for teachers and healthcare professionals!
We are communing with nature as we are driven to exercise outdoors and to use our time in quasi-isolation to reflect on our lives and our contributions.
And through it all, a subtle paranoia grips our consciousness. I observe a muted obsession with mortality. It is easy for our minds to become captive to this unseen force – I’ve certainly had flickers of worry and distraction.
“Instead, we should maximise this gift of time.”
Instead, we should maximise this gift of time. Never before has my diary been so free of air travel and meetings – I am relishing this bonus and indulging my passion in writing.
What will our post-virus, home-fed, carbon-reduced, hygiene-obsessed, fresh air-infused humanity look like? Which of our changed behaviours is here to stay? Will our sense of innovation and compassion remain with us? I am interested to hear your views.