There is rarely a disaster that does not have at least a few positive effects and that is surely true of this Covid-19 pandemic.
I thought it would be a good idea to look at some of the positive outcomes:
a. It might stop the Chinese from slaughtering wild animals in their markets in Wuhan and other provinces (how the epidemic was believed to have started). Wild animals are currently caught all over the world and taken to China to be killed. Perhaps they will leave these poor animals in the wild where they belong.
b. It may encourage better partnership and cooperation between countries as we work together to combat this threat. This recent move to isolate and compete is not good.
c. It might bring out the best in people – the more altruistic, caring side – as we join together to help those in need – to look after our neighbours and care for each other – to be less selfish and greedy.
d. It might make us value our nurses, teachers and doctors more. Public servants have been penalised with poor pay and worsening pensions. It’s time we realised what a great job them do and how important they are.
e. It might make us realise that money is not everything and that this society has got its priorities wrong. We reward bankers and greed and punish caring. Perhaps it is our bankers who should be on low wages and our carers who should be properly rewarded?
f. Perhaps we might start to think about nature more and care for the planet better?
g. Already we can see that the economic downturn has had a positive effect of pollution and carbon dioxide emissions. If I believed in Gaia I would say the planet is giving us a warning.
h. Perhaps killing off a number of the older members (like me) would do a little to address our overpopulation problem? It’s time we made this a priority!
I. We should be thankful that it does not seem to affect our children greatly! Things could be a lot worse.
j. This is a great practice for when the real killer virus comes through! There is bound to be one that kills a much higher percentage of people than this one.
k. It may make us value our friends, family and lifestyle more than we have.
l. It might make us look at our priorities and question what we are doing.
m. It will certainly give a lot of us some time to think and do things we never had time to do.
Who knows. The world is going to be different when this is all over!