Pandemic Insights
On a larger scale, Covid-19 made me more socially aware, if not outright: more socially sensitive. From Black Lives Matter through massive social and economic injustice and economic insecurity to the total lack of social responsibility flaunted by pandemic deniers, Coronavirus exposed a lot of our ugliness.
On a personal scale, the 2020 pandemic – of all things! – made me aware of things that are easy to overlook under normal circumstances. Our claim to survival is the uncanny ability to adapt. We adapt well and – on occasion – too well. Adaptability is an asset. The process however should also be a learning opportunity.
The necessity to wear a face mask alerted me to my dependence on oxygen. Wearing a mask for prolonged periods of time makes me feel like a snail. I’m tired. I have no energy. I’m slow and clumsy. It never occurred to me before just how much I depend on oxygen for energy! (I noticed also that I’m not the only snail around!)
The pandemic-induced shortages, kicked mine – and everyone’s I know! – self-preservation instinct in a high gear. We may not have had to fear food or toilet paper shortages before. Now, we do. We weren’t hoarders before. We hoard, now. Take a good look at the rising grocery prices and you better start hoarding.
A normal society consists of different people and none of them have more value than others. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a normal society. right now. We live in a society divided along political lines, disinformed and exposed to fake propaganda. Why am I going “there”? Because white isn’t more than.
All people matter; all are important; all are valuable.
Our food producers are mostly Latino. They are underpaid and poorly protected from Coronavirus. The grocery prices warn us now that if the food producers’ conditions won’t improve and fast, we’ll all starve color notwithstanding.
The need to protect ourselves and those we care about is natural. Covid-19 kicked our protectiveness into a high gear, too. We actually fight over some tribe members’ slacking of on safety precautions, the duration and frequency of handwashing, etc. In some cases, we are not merely protective, but quite possibly, paranoid….
Social distancing and the need to avoid social interactions cut deeply into my personal and professional life. On a personal level, it’s hard not to feel alone, at times. On a professional level… Yes, I suffer from a significant income gap.
Frustration and / or dissatisfaction with life and / or work demonstrates itself in surprising ways. Sometimes, it compels us to pursue a new or old “hobby” or interest with a sudden passion. It could well be nothing more than a hobby. Sometimes it’s a pursuit of a substitute gratification. (On occasion, it could also be the reason spouses are tempted to cheat.)
I’m not saying that hobbies or interests are “bad for you” by definition, but that a suddenly increased interest in something that doesn’t directly contribute to your success or happiness is first and foremost a warning sign of your dissatisfaction with what is. Before jumping head first and emerging yourself entirely in a hobby, notice that you are also running away from something and ask yourself from what and why. It could well be that the “hobby” might be more worthwhile than your career. But be aware of the origin of your sudden passion. Do what feels right, but do it with some self-awareness.
Overall, the virus changed my perspective on a number of things. Example? I enjoy books and TV programs on archeological excavations, lost civilizations, etc. I – along with many experts – was always wondering how / why creators of several advanced civilizations predating ours seem to have suddenly “disappeared” and abandoned their achievements. I have a pretty good guess, now: pandemic could have wiped them out. (Truth be told, such a thought never crossed my mind before Covid-19 affected us.)
Imagine a few hundred years from now, an eager archeologist digs out our skyscrapers, cars and a smartphone or two and asks what happened to the people who left all these behind? We too could become an extinct civilization. Click To Tweet
Don’t get me wrong, I’m trying to keep my optimism alive but considering the consistently growing spread of Coronavirus accompanied by the unrelenting ignorance of people who are confusing health with politics… It could happen to us.
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These are the insights I gained during the pandemic. What are yours?
