I’m not happy that there is a pandemic going on. I wish that it wouldn’t have come to this. I feel very bad for anyone who is suffering because of this. But there are some things that this pandemic is bringing with it that I do appreciate.
1. People Are Finally Washing Their Hands
People not washing their hands has been a conundrum for me for over 20 years. I just don’t get it.
I used to work at a hospital, and I can tell you that I heard my share of doctors and nurses go into a bathroom, flush the toilet, and forgo washing their hands. You can tell because as soon as the toilet is flushed, they are heading out the door. And in many cases, you can hear the water from the tap running when it’s turned on, but not when people skip a good old hand washing. I was always disgusted by this and over the years have noticed it’s not limited to hospitals.
I’m the person who washes their hands BEFORE I go to the bathroom because I know that most people don’t wash their hands after they go to the bathroom, and I’ve touched at least one or two places they have touched!
But, now, people are being told to wash their hands and it’s all over the internet and news. And it seems like people are doing it. At the very least they are understanding that it’s important, and I’m sure the more they hear it, the more likely they will be to do it.
2. Sick People Are Staying Home!
What a concept!
I have always said that if you are sick you shouldn’t go out. It just makes sense to me. Yet I have NEVER been out of the house where someone isn’t sick and coughing or sneezing all over everything.
To be honest, I’m not sure how pandemics don’t start all the time because sick people are always plentiful when I go out.
Even just before this pandemic started, there was a woman in Superstore getting food ready for pick up orders, and she was coughing all over the baskets of food. I stared at her in disbelief and she finally saw me and stopped coughing. I’m sure she started back up when I left the aisle.
I think people thought it was OK to go out when sick. I guess they thought, “If I’m sick, then everyone deserves to be sick!” Or, they just didn’t think at all?
But now people have to think. I’m sure there are many who still don’t care if YOU get sick, but they do care what other people think on some level during this pandemic.
I hope that after this is all over people get into the habit of staying home when they are sick, whether it’s ‘just a cold’ or something else.
3. Social Distancing Is A Thing
I am the person who can be sitting on an empty bus and have someone sit right next to me even though every other seat is open. This has happened to me my whole life.
People always want to get into my space and be near me, and I don’t know why.
I do know that it annoys me. I like my space. I don’t want you in it.
Now social distancing is a thing!
In fact, on a recent trip to the grocery store, I noticed that almost everyone stayed six feet apart from each other. I’ve never seen that before!
However, one guy leaned in front of me to grab something and another woman came right up beside me (almost touching shoulders) to look at something on the shelf, so I guess my magical powers of attracting people hasn’t totally disappeared. But, still, I think as more and more people practice social distancing, fewer and fewer people will be getting in my space.
4. There Has Been A Positive Environmental Impact
Greenhouse gas emissions and pollution has decreased around the world as everyone tries to contain COVID-19. This is great news, for now.
Will it go back to normal at some point? Will it get worse? Or will it get better? These are all questions that will be answered with time, but, for now, at least people are seeing that our actions can help the environment. At least they are seeing that we have the power to make a difference if we change the way we interact with the world.
My hope is that a lot of people continue to do whatever they can to reduce their carbon footprint once everything settles down.
My hope is that more people are working from home after this is over and fewer cars are on the road than ever before.
My hope is that people start to think about other areas of pollution, such as animal agriculture, and take an active roll in expressing their power to do something about it.
I guess we will see.
