COVID-19 can be an opportunity to bring communities together

COVID-19 is wreaking havoc across the globe: jobs put on hold, millions of people confined, healthcare systems overworked…the economy is suffering from and so are people. Yet, there can be a takeaway from this outbreak: we now have a unique chance now to do our bit to contribute to the welfare in communities for the longer term. We have already seen many organisations and individuals trying to alleviate citizens’ discomfort in these harrowing times one way or another:

• Families calling or skyping elder members so that they don’t feel alone

• Neighbourhood forums being created to ensure all neighbours have products of basic need at their doorstep without needing to go out

• People filming hilarious videos to keep everyone’s spirits up

• Neighbours offering to walk the dogs of ‘at risk’ people so that these people don’t have to expose themselves to the virus

• Mums sharing online classes so that all kids have activities to do at home

• Positive messages being shared through social media

 The hard reality is that we need one another. We are all exposed, and we are all vulnerable. Not out of choice, we are increasingly physically isolated. That doesn’t mean we have to be completely isolated. Those who can, can (and should) be of service to communities. At the end of the day, we are all together in this: you, your neighbour, your boss, your delivery man/woman, your local baker We may not know each other because we are usually into our daily busyness. But now we have come to a standstill, and we only have one another.

So look for opportunities to bring your community together and send in more examples of how people are caring for others, we like the good news! (send these at: maite@valuebymaite.com)

‘We are increasingly physically isolated. That doesn’t mean we have to be completely isolated’

Source: Unsplash