It’s hard to believe that COVID, or the coronavirus, entered our lexicon a year ago in January. Since then, the world and the way we live have changed inexorably—and in many ways for the better. Here are 20 of the biggest lessons we’ve learned while dealing with the pandemic.
Being forced to slow down isn’t a bad thing
Because of lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, millions around the world found their schedules suddenly empty of social activities and events. While that’s led to a decline in mental health for some, it’s helped others slow down so they can take stock of what truly matters to them.
Sometimes the greater good is more important than personal comfort
For the first time in a generation, everyone has had to put their personal well-being behind that of others. Staying home and wearing masks have helped save millions of lives, something that wouldn’t have happened if people didn’t put society’s needs before their own personal desires.
Paradigms can be shifted
As people turned to the news for updates on the coronavirus, it became more apparent than ever that systemic racism is an issue that has no place in the 21st century. The murder of George Floyd at the hands of police, in particular, sent shockwaves around the world and sparked protests in support of Black Lives Matter.
Social interactions matter
More than ever, we realize the value of good friends, family support, and the need to lean on one another when times get tough.
Everyone needs more mental health supports
Because of COVID, communities are grappling with a looming mental health crisis; loneliness, boredom, anxiety, and fear are pervasive. Governments, which have been reticent to support the issue in the past, are now being called upon to fund initiatives to help people cope.
Technology is essential
The fear of too much screen time quickly gave way to a world where people leaned into technology to stay in touch with family, friends, classmates, and colleagues. Though chatting with someone over a tablet isn’t the same as seeing them in person, apps like Zoom have helped many enjoy some semblance of normalcy in an otherwise weird time.
We can work from home
Remember that pre-pandemic time when bosses worried that folks working from home would result in a drop in productivity? COVID kicked that theory to the curb and showed working from home is good for families and business.
Parents need support
With schools closed, parents have taken on dual roles of at-home employee and in-home teacher, leading to some very serious issues around work-life balance. While some companies have leapt at the chance to offer employees support, others haven’t been so generous. The result has been a fundamental shift in the workforce, with more mothers quitting their jobs to take care of their kids.
We have to put the brakes on gender inequality
It took the coronavirus for many to realize we, as a society, have offered little support to mothers who juggle everything from work to household management to child care. The inequity between men and women is now something that’s being openly discussed, and policymakers are looking for ways to build more flexible work environments so women can continue to work.
Teachers deserve to be paid more
Any parent who has had to struggle through at-home learning will tell you teaching is hard work, and that teachers don’t get paid enough for all they do for kids. It’s clear online learning doesn’t advance a child’s education, as some claimed even before the pandemic. Teachers are where it’s at, and they should be treated better than they are.
Economic inequality is pervasive
COVID has made the economic inequality between the haves and the have-nots greater, propelling the issues of housing, job security, guaranteed income, and the treatment of minorities to the top of almost every city agenda. Stats show those who live in the most impoverished communities contract and die of the coronavirus at a more rapid rate than those who live in the most privileged ones. Kids who can’t afford an iPad are being left behind because of online learning. More than ever, people are calling for change.
Kids should be the priority
Kids have lost all sense of normalcy, and many are too young to understand why they can’t see their friends or take part in beloved hobbies. The primary focus of pediatricians and parents has become finding ways to keep kids happy and safe and preserving their mental health so the legacy of COVID won’t lead to issues down the road.
We are stronger than we think
Battling COVID has forced everyone to find their inner superhero (mental and physical). We are all capable of tackling seemingly insurmountable tasks, even when they make us feel personally uncomfortable.
Never take anything for granted
COVID really showcased that we all took the simplest of pleasures for granted pre-pandemic. We were too busy to find the joy of dinner at a restaurant or the ability to walk into a store without lining up first. The virus has shown that life can change in a heartbeat, so doing what you love and saying what’s in your heart is of the utmost importance.
An old dog can be taught new tricks
Who would have thought it would take a pandemic for people to realize they can do and learn anything at any age? Seniors are now technological savants, and kids are now brilliant bakers. Finding time to take on new hobbies and learn something new has been a mental health saviour.
Social media isn’t as bad as some may thin
Though doomscrolling became one of the most addictive and dangerous parts of the pandemic, others embraced social media by creating uplifting content. Sites like Upworthy began to dominate, and communities gravitated to posts that made them feel good. Social media also became the driver of change, informing folks about how they could join in on bigger social movements and fight injustice.
Getting outside is more important than ever
Being cooped up in the house has left us yearning for outdoor time in a way we never have before. Streets are full of pedestrians and joggers, cities have created new bike lanes for cycling enthusiasts, and hills are full of families skiing or tobogganing. Getting outside is something that has boosted everyone’s spirits.
Self-care is key
Taking a bath, watching Netflix, treating yourself to takeout, and indulging in something that makes you feel special has become a key way for people to survive COVID. “Treat yo’self” isn’t just a once-in-a-while treat, it’s a slogan to live by.
Local businesses need our support
People love living in cities because they can walk to a local store to get a gift or go out for dinner at a nearby restaurant, but because of COVID those local businesses began to shutter. Enter meal and shop delivery apps, and a plethora of other calls to action that make it easier for folks to support their favourite businesses, even from afar.
Our front-line workers are superheroes
Without doctors, paramedics, grocery store clerks, taxi and bus drivers, and a whole host of other professions, COVID could have been a lot worse. People put their lives on the line to make the well-being of others a priority. These individuals deserve our praise and support now and beyond the end of the pandemic.
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