May 2020

Coronavirus pandemic has affected all of us. However, it may turn out to be a boon rather than a curse. We will look at the top 5 positive impacts of COVID-19 lockdown. Things often happen when we least expect them. Did you ever think that there will be a time when the entire world will be in lockdown? In this age when every other person keeps throwing the quote “time is money” and runs from one place to another as if they stop, life will stop. Let me guess “No”, none of us would have imagined this in our weirdest of dreams. But then as the year 2019 was coming to end, a virus made its grand entry. Novel Corona-virus or Covid-19. Before we discuss the positive impacts of COVID-19 just take look at the stats/count/human lives lost or affected by this modern-day virus which has no vaccine or cure as of May 17, 2020. The best possible way is precaution by maintaining physical and social distance

Is it that bad? Is this the worst thing to happen? It may be a blessing in disguise, a boon rather than a curse for humans. Before we discuss the top 5 positive impacts of COVID-19 lockdown. let’s quickly see what is this pandemic and when and how it entered our lives.

What is COVID-19 ?

COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It was first identified in November 2019 in Wuhan, China, and has since spread globally impacting almost all countries on the world map, hence resulting in an ongoing pandemic. As I write this, various claims of vaccine creation in the last stages have been reported from different countries, however, nothing confirmed or final as of yet. Recently World Health Organization (WHO) went on to record warning “Corona may never go away” No doubt the future is uncertain and will bring a lot of challenges. however, as always we will come out of it stronger and better

“Every moment is a fresh beginning.’ —T.S. Eliot

First thing first this is not an end, and beginning can be made whenever we wish to!

Enough of scary stuff. Let us look at a few good things which have happened thanks to Covid-19!

• Nature has come alive: Since, the most selfish creature on earth. You guess it right “Humans” have been forced to live in lockdown fearing death (that’s the only thing which scares us now we are so powerful, at least we thought that way before Corona) Pollution level has gone down drastically. New Delhi, Capital of India which is one of the most polluted places in the world so much so elections have been fought and won on this agenda. International cricket matches have been canceled because the air was so polluted that it would have meant players are in a gas chamber. People in Delhi are used to an AQI of 500 (anything over 150 is considered unhealthy and it’s a miracle for many to witness AQI below 50 and clean blue skies. Thanks to Corona! Himalayan mountain ranges are visible from cities almost 200 km away, Rivers have become cleanest on its own. The administration spent insane money in the past few decades and could do nothing and nature healed itself as soon as we left it on its own. There is a big message for all of us only if we can learn and stop messing up with mother nature.

• Gratitude: How many times do you wake up and feel thankful for the things you have? Most of the mental health coaches, yoga and meditation teachers or gurus often tell you to have an attitude of gratitude. In case you are fascinated by these terms please refer to this link. People have started realizing the value of small things in life. Suddenly being with your loved ones has become more important than earning loads of money. We now know we can live happily without shopping for clothes and going to movies every other weekend. These are luxuries and things which are essential are home-cooked food and drinking water. It’s okay to not drive the car to buy groceries, you can walk for 1000 meters and feel good that you got an opportunity to walk. I’m sure there are many other similar examples which each one of you will have. Please share in the comments section, would love to hear them.

• Money isn’t the answer to everything: This pandemic has affected developed countries much more than developing or not so developed nations. You might think this guy is comparing apples with oranges. You are correct and that’s my point. Just look at the number of cases in the United States of America and Bhutan. Thankfully, no casualty in Bhutan as of now. My point is about priorities as we move ahead from here. Is Capitalism best for society? Can we make some changes in how we live and what is considered growth? The value system which we have right now, does it need to be reconsidered? Fun Fact: Bhutan is known as the happiest country in the world and they consider Gross National Happiness an index just like GDP (Gross Domestic Product) or Gross National Product (GNP) is a key indicator of any country’s economy. Something worth pondering upon. Thanks to Corona we have time to pause and think!

• Work From Home: Ability to work from home is another huge positive aspect of COVID-19 lockdown. Many Multinational Companies which boasts of technological advances and keep throwing buzzwords like re-engineering and automation got a shock of lifetimes. Eventually, it may trickle down with many losing their jobs or pay cuts. However, since we are looking at brighter aspects. There’s no arguing that after initial hiccups suddenly everyone realized who are the people who run the show day in and out. Almost all, at least in the IT sector moved to work from home option. Wouldn’t you agree that to be able to work virtually may be a blessing for many, especially the ones who have to manage their family and professional times? Before Corona. In most of the major cities in the world, work hours included long and painful traveling to the office and back home. 2-4 hours of travel daily has become normal. It may not suit everyone, but that applies to everything. Overall companies have started planning for work from home for a longer duration. It gives flexibility to employees which means more happy souls on the planet.

• Introspection: The best thing which has happened for each one of us is the time we have got for introspecting or self-reflect. To get rid of our routine life, the mad rush of reaching somewhere, achieving something, not so good habits, false egos, and whatnot. Suddenly friends are reuniting over video calls, families are coming together, talking on phones for hours. Trivial things like washing hands regularly, baking a cake at home, cleaning dishes, mopping the floor are being celebrated. Many have started believing that less is more. That it’s okay to not run after money, you can live happily without luxuries. That nature needs no protection, it’s us who need to fix our lifestyle and value system. Humans need to live in sync with nature as other species do. This is detoxification of mind, body, and soul.

I strongly feel that this pandemic is a blessing in disguise, a boon for human civilization which was on the brink of collapsing. We are going through a difficult transition and will emerge as better versions. So hang on to hope, be kind, and keep looking for light shimmering out of dark clouds. Sun always shines after the storm. Isn’t it? How has COVID-19 or lockdown impacted you? Please share one positive change that you have noticed in your life recently in the comment section here or on any of the social media channels. Let us infect each other with hope and optimism. Cheers!

Sources :

• Wikipedia – https://www.wikipedia.org/
• Pexels – https://www.pexels.com/
• thehindu – https://www.thehindu.com/news

“To read this article in Hindi click here“