Staying positive through the trying times of the coronavirus…
At a time when we are being told to physically keep our distance from other people, these messages can provide much needed perspective, insight, support and at times, even light relief.
By BENITA LEVINAs a masked woman looks on, Roni Ben-Ari and Yonatan Meushar celebrate their wedding at Ein Hemed, which is offering free, small-scale weddings for young couples due to restrictions imposed by the government to fight coronavirus on March 18(photo credit: REUTERS)There are many videos and memes doing the rounds right now, trying to lift people’s moods during this very difficult coronavirus crisis. At a time of immense uncertainty around the globe, obvious health worries and economic devastation for countless people, there are some that stand out for very different reasons. While in no way minimizing the severity of the situation in so many countries in the world, at a time when we are being told to physically keep our distance from other people, these messages can provide much needed perspective, insight, support and at times, even light relief.The first video is of an Israeli mother venting her frustration at the barrage of Whatsapp messages she’s been getting from her four children’s different teachers. This all happened during the brief attempt over several days to try online schooling for thousands of pupils around the country. She didn’t mince her words as she lambasted educators for spamming her with messages about different classes, especially when in her case there are two computers in the house! She was stuck with children constantly fighting to get online. Being sent sheets of music that she couldn’t read, didn’t help her day either! No written words can do justice to the honest, brutally worded message on day two of the new schooling reality. It really is worth googling. It may or may not have been tongue-in-cheek, it certainly seemed genuine. She was unwittingly a representative for all stressed, overwhelmed parents, suddenly faced with home learning, amongst other obvious new concerns. She of course ended her well-meaning rant with the words: “Have a nice day”! It’s gone viral. It’s priceless.GratitudeThe second set of videos are all so heartwarming, they can’t help but make each person realize they are not in this alone. Even if they are in quarantine alone! At 6pm on a set night, citizens were all asked to stop what they were doing and to clap in unison on their balconies or in their gardens to thank the medical staff and emergency teams who are working tirelessly to treat patients and contain the spread of the virus. People from all corners of the country came out to show their gratitude for the people who are risking their own health every day, as authorities try to bring this situation under control. Countless videos have obviously been shared. I can only imagine it also helped lift the spirits of those working day and night to keep the country and its citizen’s safe.Community SupportPhysically we may be confined to our homes. Those who are working in essential services are asked to keep their distance from colleagues in the workplace. It’s a strange new normal, drinking your coffee in the canteen apart from your work mates! This social “distancing” makes communicating with our loved ones and friends in the country and abroad all that more crucial. Social media may have many downfalls, but it so helps being able to WhatsApp, FaceTime, Skype or Zoom with parents overseas, friends in different countries, and even neighbours we can’t visit right now. Knowing we are all in this situation together most definitely helps lift one’s spirits. It’s a unique and new shared experience. “Virtual” support can make a huge difference!Quality TimeAll jokes aside about the challenges of children learning at home, a partial or full lockdown means families are definitely spending more time together. We are planning more meals together, cooking together and eating meals at the same time together. That’s not always the case in busy lives involving school, work, extra mural activities and social lives. It’s a glaring positive side to this completely unusual new normal. I have no doubt that when this current uncertain situation has passed, and the world can return to a more active routine, that we will keep making an effort to spend more quality time together. That in itself is priceless.The writer is a TV news anchor at i24News
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