The locks are turned, normal life is suspended, and we are all living through a future historic moment. COVID-19 is making so many changes to our lives right now that we entered an era of life before coronavirus and life after it. Let’s hope that ‘after’ will be soon. However, we can take a look into what changed since January. We, as humans, can adapt to everything and anything.
Worldwide the number of infected people by coronavirus is rising by the minute and we have already reached the 2 000 000th patient worldwide. Big capitals and metropolises are in lockdown – from Madrid, Rome, and Berlin in Europe to New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto in Northern America. Asia is in distress and Africa in a complete shortage of personnel and equipment needed to fight the pandemic. All of this is putting us in state of anxiety and uncertainty. Lothar Zhou is one of our lecturers in BUas who was in China at the time of the outbreak and in an interview with me he shared his belief in the government.
“I am personally not familiar with how the Dutch government is dealing with the issue of COVID-19 pandemic, but I am trusting the policies and choices that are going to be taken.”
BUas is an international university and just like Lothar Zhou I am not Dutch, but I am putting aside my worries and trusting that measures are going to be taken by the government. Since January we are adapting to life at home between four walls.
“The psychological impact on the world’s population is going to be huge. Such events last in people’s minds for a long period. The time that is going to take us to recover is longer than people realize now.”
According to our lecturer, there are some big differences between our reality in Europe regarding COVID-19 and the one in China.
“To the general public in China information is often withheld. TV broadcasting is presenting only positive news that pictures the Chinese government in a glorifying way. However, the younger generation is being able to access more objective information online through our version of Twitter where more voices can be heard.”
We are given a lot of information and it is up to us to act upon it. The situation is not being held in mystery from us. Big international deals are taken off the table such as Huawei’s 5G system in the US and Europe. Airlines are operating on less than half capacity. Netflix is asked to lower its resolution due to difficulties for the internet providers. Business life haltered. We are putting masks, gloves and sanitizer tubes in our pockets to go out meaning mostly the supermarket. Social activities are online. Work and education are all at home now. People’s daily life is altered.
However, we are fighters. History is the evidence of that. With everything closed and movements of people stopped we can look around and make changes. We have enough information and power to make the most of the situation. No time to wallow in misery. Now is the time to make personal progress and contribute to society, economy and Earth’s health. Minimize your resources usage. Shop wisely. Recycle. Exercise. Help family and friends. And be kind. Change the things you do not like. Now is the time. Coronavirus’ psychological effect can be beaten by us and only us.
