Lessons & Blessings from the Pandemic & Lockdown

             When we look back at the MCO period what would our memories be like? Now that some restrictions have been lifted so that businesses can operate and we are free to go to work, we should all follow the SOPs so that we can break the chain of infection and send the virus to oblivion although this is easier said than done. 

               Sadly lives and jobs were lost and many people find themselves unemployed or unable to carry out their businesses and earn a living. However, although we would view it as a most traumatic period in our normally placid lives, it definitely is a breeze compared to when our forefathers survived the world wars where they had to hide from the brutalities and senseless killings. At least we are safe in our own homes with enough food, clothes and a roof for shelter. 

              Here is the list of things we should be grateful for:-

                #1 We should thank God that for us average people all we have to do is just stay at home and be safe. However, people will always have something to complain about. 

When the MCO was first implemented and then further enhanced, people were whining that they had mouths to feed and debts and/or loans to settle. They lamented the loss of income, not to mention freedom during the lockdown. Some also defied orders and continued with their normal daily activities outside when infections were high and the curve has not been flattened yet. Yet when it was announced that some restrictions were lifted and people were free to go to work recently, some lamented that economic viability should not override health concerns. Can these people just make up their minds what they actually want?

                     #2 We should be thankful that working parents have the chance to be at home with their children when they otherwise have to slog it out at work while their children attend school. 

These breadwinners have worked hard all their lives to provide food, shelter and other necessities and the occasional luxuries for their families. This is the only opportunity they get to spend a rather long period of time with their families.    

                  Only husbands of idiotic wives would find it stifling at home and only idiotic husbands would not take the opportunity to enjoy life with their families, preferring to hang out with their buddies all the time, leaving the wives to fend for the families. And only idiots would defy orders given by the authorities and endanger the whole family by staying out unnecessarily. 

                #3 When people were ordered to drop everything and to stay home, this was way out of the norm and people were shocked and dazed as to how such a thing could happen. 

So they began to reflect on what they had or had not done and they began to question their mortality. The good that the coronavirus may have done was that it may have scared the living daylights out of people until some people were seemingly trying very hard to be good and do good. 

                     Those who prefer the easy way out by sleeping on the job or neglecting their responsibilities at work were beginning to value their jobs. Gone were the lackadaisical attitudes because now everybody was raring to go to work and generate some income. From a psychology viewpoint, people have a tendency to do the reverse of what they are supposed to do.

              Whether this phenomenon is temporary or these people have become enlightened remains to be seen these couple of months. It is highly probable when this all over, people will forget the lessons and devalue their relationships with their fellow human beings and nature itself, which had brought such disastrous consequences in the first place. 

               #4. We should of course also be thankful for our wonderful healthcare system, without which we would not have brought down the rate of transmission and upped the rate of recovery. 

The doctors, nurses and other healthcare personnel have been working round the clock to flatten the curve by treating and testing. Not forgetting the good Samaritans who took great pains to distribute food and other necessities to the poor and underprivileged. The postmen, food delivery riders and other delivery men risk their lives each time they are outside and on the road to enable us, people, to stay at home. Last but not least the government should be applauded for taking care of the people by handing out aids to deserving individuals and the stimulus package to businesses to help them tide over the difficulties.  

             Thus in spite of everything it is still a wonderful world and what we give, we receive. So treat the gifts of nature with care and do not upset the delicate equilibrium in the ecosystem. We should not ravage and plunder just to satisfy our endless lust and greed. In short, we should be thankful for everything on this earth and if we live conscientiously and with regard and respect for nature and all living things, we will not meet a terrible fate because we will get back how we treat Mother Earth.

Photo source: Freepik