A Few Lessons We Can Learn From COVID-19

I know, I know, it’s all everyone’s talking about… but I promise this one’s worth a read. 😀

I’ve always been a firm believer of “everything happens for a reason” and even though we face many things that are highly un-ideal, there’s always something good to come out of them. Granted, sometimes you have to dig a little deeper to find the good, but hear me out.

The Corona Virus has pretty much taken over the world – countries are going on lockdown, businesses are closing, and it’s all very tragic. I’m not going to talk about death/survival rates, the nature of the virus, or any of the usual stuff going round, but fact remains that there are many things/people that are being negatively affected by it.

I do, however, like to look at the positive side of things whenever possible, and I invite you to join me in doing so during this stressful time. So here are a few important things that I think we can all learn from this situation:

Mother Nature is Proving a [helluva] Point 🌍
The economy might be taking a massive hit due to COVID-19, but the eco-system is suddenly thriving. Amidst all the chaos that this virus has caused, let’s take a moment to appreciate how within a matter of days, global CO₂ emissions have dropped drastically. This should be an incredibly eye-opening fact, which leads me to my next point:

Climate Change Can be Tackled if Governments Actually Tried 🤔
If there’s one thing this virus has shown, it’s that leaders can take drastic action when necessary. Just like the meme going round that says “the meeting could have been an email” – there’s always something that can be done. Leaders just need to do it because sadly, it isn’t all in our hands (and there are too many ignorant people who just don’t care and only think of themselves).

Governments across the world have been handling this pandemic pretty well on the whole, with a few exceptions, sure… but it just goes to show how if people treated Climate Change as seriously as they do Corona Virus (when it’s probably even more serious) then action would be taken. Which, again, leads me to my next point…

The Media Owns Us and the Way We Think 📢
I won’t elaborate too much on this fact because it’s pretty self explanatory. The Media is widely responsible for the madness that this virus has brought about, leading to the panic-buying, misinformation, confusion, and frustration of the public. No one knows what’s true or not, or who to believe. And let’s not forget how we conveniently forget about other important things (like the tragic death of Miriam Pace) which up until the moment the first case in Malta was announced, is all people were talking about.

We Take Too Much For Granted ❤
As businesses are shutting down, schools are closed, and everyone is basically stuck at home, we start to realise how much we take for granted on a daily basis. Life is beautiful, family is important, and we have so much to be thankful for. Let’s just take a step back to really enjoy the simple things now that we have the chance to, before we’re all up and running in our busy schedules again.

Every Illness Should Be Taken Seriously 😷
One of the comments I’ve seen regarding the outbreak is blaming it on people who took it lightly and treated the virus as the common flu. Here’s my response to that:

The 👏 common 👏 flu 👏 should 👏 also 👏 be 👏 taken 👏 seriously 👏 !

It is not the fault of those who treated it as the common flu – it is the fault of stupid and inconsiderate people who don’t take the common flu seriously in the first place. Intelligent and sensible people stay home when they’re sick. I don’t care if you feel fine or you have too much work to do or your fever ‘isn’t even that high’. If you’re sick, you stay the bloody hell home. Period.

*breathes*

People Seriously Need To Up Their Personal Hygiene 💦
I find it quite appalling how only now, after this virus outbreak, people are discovering the concept of hand washing. And aside from that, I’ve seen too many grownups who cough and sneeze without covering their mouths, don’t wash their hands after using the toilet, or as my previous point, go to work when they’re unwell. In my opinion this is a combination of ignorance and selfishness (the same type that led to people buying a year’s supply of toilet paper and sanitiser). Seriously folks, get your sh*t together.

There are people who are vulnerable… Babies and children, pregnant women, the elderly, individuals suffering with other illnesses, and more. It’s important to think of ourselves, but not when we’re potentially putting other people’s lives at risk.

~ Rant over.

Seriously though, there’s so much we can learn from COVID-19, and I really hope that people would come together to ultimately make the world a better, happier, and healthier place to live in, before it’s too late.

On another note:

My heart truly goes out to all the freelancers, artists, performers, businesses, couples with their wedding coming up, families who can’t celebrate the life of their loved ones who have passed on with a funeral, and anyone else who might have been badly impacted by this virus. If any of my readers fall into this category, I wish I had words to console you, but I do wish you strength and courage at such a difficult time.

I would also like to thank and celebrate all the healthcare workers, pharmacists, supermarket attendants, and all those who are currently far busier than ever before and coming so uncomfortably close to the virus for the sake of helping the rest of the population. You are our heroes and we appreciate you. 💕

Until next time,