Today, the spring sun shines warmly through the window, even as the bitter wind blows. Outside the birds are singing and I am grateful. Grateful for this day, for however many days I have left. It looks so normal, but all around the world it is far from a normal day. It might be beautiful, with few people in work, but this is no holiday. This is a time of vital self-isolation for our own safety against an enemy that is trying to kill us all.
The enemy is the terrible virus known as COVID-19 or Coronavirus, now familiar to all of us. It is a leveller. It pays no attention to your nationality or race, colour, religion, sexuality or gender. It attacks the rich and poor, the good and not so good, the law-abiding and those of a criminal persuasion. You could be young or old, employed or unemployed. No-one is to blame and no-one has any more right to survive than anyone else. The most important thing is that EVERYONE on this planet is vulnerable. We are all afraid and worried, and we should be.
There is no longer any point to the divisions which have existed between us; none of them matter now. It saddens me that the world has finally recognised that we are all the same. We are all in the same position, all human, all at risk. But it also gives me hope. Nations are sharing information with each other and striving to develop a test and a vaccine, in unprecedented acts of co-operation. It is a time to put our differences aside, and deal with it the best way we can. I am so sad for those that have been lost and my heart goes out to their families and friends. We that are still here are lucky and we need to appreciate that tomorrow is not promised for any of us. But there are reassurances that many more will survive than not.
This is undeniably a global emergency, as serious as it gets, but it is also an opportunity. Whatever your circumstances, remember to enjoy each and every moment of your lives from now on, whether it be a week, a month or a hundred years. Gratitude leads to a positive frame of mind, which has been scientifically shown to help people overcome illness, as has kindness. Make the most of this time at home, enforced though it may be. Tell your loved ones that you love them, often. Laugh together and cry together. Slow down and breathe. Read the book that you were saving and never got around to reading, or write one of your own. Binge-watch your favourite TV series or films; eat the cake and bake more, or plant seeds and enjoy music. Play with your children and pets; spend time with your partner and fall in love all over again. In short, do whatever makes you happy. But do it all at home where it is safe for everyone. Home is our safe haven, now more than ever.
If you live alone, know that you are NOT alone. Isolation doesn’t have to mean loneliness. The whole world knows how you feel: we share your hopes and fears. We understand. You can still contact people by phone, or online using Face Time, Skype, Facebook Messenger etc. Ring the Samaritans or other agencies if you need support, but don’t be tempted to visit anyone. We all need to be grateful for what we have, today, in this moment. Try to do that every day from now on, and just take one day at a time. Mindfulness can help, dealing only with what today brings. Meditation is useful too. The world can seem brighter when you realise that, now, in this moment, you are OK.
Last night I stood on my doorstep and clapped to thank the NHS workers for all that they do for us, along with people in my street and others UK-wide. It was show of gratitude, but also to show that, even in the darkest of moments, the people that work through their exhaustion to save our lives are not alone, and neither are we, even though it may feel like we are. I have never spoken to many of my neighbours, as is common these days in a lot of places. Yet all over the UK, friends, family and virtual strangers shared an important moment. Knowing that we are all in this together, it was a meeting of minds and souls with a single purpose. Gratitude. Humanity will survive, long after this, and I hope that the world doesn’t forget this time, this feeling of unity and solidarity that normally only occurs during wartime, although it is as if we are at war, fighting for our very existence. This shared global experience should be our legacy, despite the awful circumstances.
The effects of this pandemic have certainly brought out the best and the worst in people, and that is sure to continue until this crisis is over. But kindness is infectious; pay it forward. If someone does a good deed for you, do something kind for someone else. You will feel better for it, and so will they. I would like to believe that there is still more that is good in this world than bad and I hope that it will remain so, long after the pandemic has gone.
I am apparently one of the most vulnerable, I am immuno-suppressed with weak lungs and several health conditions and I am staying in. I survived pneumonia and sepsis 2 years ago. My all-consuming love for my family, my need to get home to them and their love for me are what pulled me through it. This was coupled with the good wishes of my friends and people I didn’t even know, for which I am also grateful. If I catch this virus I may come home again, or I might not. Fate will decide. We all have 2 choices now, to hope for the best or to give up. It is not in my nature to ever give up and neither should you. Don’t let this virus beat you. If we become ill, we have to fight it with everything we have. But so that we don’t have to, I beg you to stay indoors for as long as it takes, wash your hands as often as you can and stay hydrated. Please protect yourself and those that you love and urge others to do the same. Be well, be safe. Today in this moment, I am well, I am grateful and I am hopeful. Tomorrow, the sun will shine, the wind will blow and the birds will sing. I hope and pray that we will all be here to share it.
Alyson Mountjoy – 27th March 2020
Images and Reflections 