Important Lessons the Pandemic Has Taught Me About Life
Society’s heart is still pumping
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You would be forgiven if you initially thought you’d be a multi-tasking productivity monster in the two weeks you were instructed to take off at the start of the pandemic. Hey, I can get reacquainted with reading. Maybe I can show my kids how much fun being bored can be. It’s time to dust the guitar off.
Of course, those two weeks quickly slipped away, rolling into month after month of uncertainty as the world stood watching in horror from the outside. Which brings me to a set of important lessons the pandemic has taught me about life:
We’re Connected
The internet links us to the entire world. While the spread of COVID-19 has highlighted just how connected we are physically, it’s also served as a great reminder that we are all humans connected in fascinating ways. The idea that countries are cut off or separate from each other is flawed.
Handwashing Kills Germs
Okay, this one I already knew, but hey, maybe you didn’t. It’s true, in the sense that the majority of people didn’t understand that hand soap kills different types of bacteria and viruses. Now, more often than not, people can explain why. They’re even doing it with cute videos all over social media.
Data Is Important
This isn’t going to be over magically. Going forward, this pandemic has taught me that facts, figures, statistics, and data still matter. It isn’t about personal beliefs and it certainly isn’t about emotion. The data shows us how to stay safe and therefore, it has to come first. The key is paying attention to it early enough.
Humans Are Social Creatures
I’m an introvert so I am one of the least social people on the planet, yet… yes, even I crave social interaction when starved of it entirely. Humans are deeply social, we live and work in communities for that very purpose. We enjoy spending time with people, we enjoy sharing their experience, and our lives. We are happier and healthier when we have a strong social network. While none of this is news, it has reinforced the importance of keeping in touch with family and friends.
