Billy Osogo
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted life as we knew it heretofore. It affected every facet of day-to-day life. Essentially, it forced us to adapt to new ways of living. Who thought there’d come a time when you couldn’t morphologically tell the difference between a doctor and a clown because they were both wearing surgical masks?
Yet, as with all kinds of disruptive waves in human history (world wars, economic recessions, plagues, natural disasters, etc), we too, seem to be getting a handle on this. Needless to say, our brothers and sisters in India remain in our prayers.
As vaccines become more available in large parts of the world, a sense of ‘normalcy’ is being restored. Businesses are resuming operations as are schools, churches and sporting events.
Hence the raison d’etre of this piece. I have two questions for you today. They stem from assertions made by two different people, living totally different lives, in different parts of the world.
The first is Richard Donkin. In his amazing book, The Future of Work, he writes:
“No matter how successful it becomes in replicating our every day existence, the virtual world of the internet will never replace the vital, living, breathing sensory experience of human interaction.”
The second is by renowned Kenyan environmentalist, Wangari Maathai. In her book, Unbowed, she writes:
“Every experience has a lesson. Every situation has a sliver lining.”
Indulge me.
What is that one thing you haven’t been able to do owing to the COVID-19 restrictions that you look forward to getting back to?
AND…
What’s that one thing you are glad has changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?
I’d like to be able to simply go out and hug my friends without having to worry for their health and mine.
I am glad that people are more health conscious
Hey Mariam 😃
Ain’t that the truth!
It’s true. The pandemic was an eye opener for many that were blinded by hustle. 💚
The pandemic has percolated into every aspect of work and life. There is a term ‘skin hunger’ which people experience after long periods of not touching, hand shaking, hugging or patting each other.
Hey Tanish!
Skin hunger. I didn’t know it was actually a thing. It shows just how much this part of human nature.
Thank you for making time 😊
I’ll be happy to get back to travelling after this is all over. I get cheap flights through work that I haven’t been able to use. But I’m glad to see everyone doing what they can to stop spreading viruses.
Hey Ang 😃
Getting back to traveling would be a delightful thing to do!
Thank you for making time 😊
The running world has changed significantly. I miss real group runs where we don’t have to socially distance. I miss real in-person races. I’m still hesitant to sign up for races that are on the schedule for later this year in fear of them being canceled or moving to virtual if we get another surge.
As a healthcare provider, it’s been really weird and stressful. I work with a lot of geriatric patients who are hard of hearing. With masks on all the time, it’s difficult for many to understand what I’m saying, since they can’t match lip reading to what they hear. And treating covid patients? These folks are lonely. And scared. And I’ve lost patients I’ve cared for. But grateful to be one of the first to be vaccinated. Here’s hoping the protection lasts.
Hey Anne!
You are a real-life super hero💪🏿💪🏿
May you continue with the amazing work you are doing.
I hope you get back to group runs soon!
Stay safe 😊
Very relevant.
Yesterday the internet around the world broke when one mere mortal made a change that no developers had anticipated.
The internet is still a simulation in progress. Your own virtual world is one that your own mere mortal changes can run and play with. Everything a lesson whether it breaks or not.
Truer words were never spoken!
The ability to step out and roam freely, not just in the physical sense but also mentally. Covid 19 has changed the world but also toppled mindsets. Limitations and doubts have creeped in and it will take some coaxing to release them. The mind has sought refuge behind closed windows and doors. Opening them up will be the recognition of a renewed form of living. So hope to resume a more positive bent of thinking.
The pandemic has been a blow to all in different ways. There is no comparison. But it has given the spirit to fight and survive a new meaning. Resilience is its aftermath. Thanks for these questions. Their answers come from a different dimension. 🙂
Hey Terveen 😃
As always, I find your insights refreshing.
Our resilience really has been tested during this period and held up well.
Thank you for making time 😊
My pleasure. 🙂
Now the world is changing to itself
Healthy consciousness is considered
So enjoy your life and spend time with family.
Great questions Billy!! Without a doubt the freedom to travel again has to be the biggest thing I miss. The ability to see my friends and family scattered across the globe. On the flip side the abundance of time I’ve had at home with my own children has been a massive blessing for me. Take it easy buddy! 🙏
Hey AP!
Those are great responses. It seems to me whereas this pandemic came with downsides, it also came with some good.
It’s always great to hear from you, my friend.
Stay safe!
I love this question and all the answers, thank you, Billy. We in Germany are only starting to lift restrictions now. I am looking forward to the children being back full time in their respective schools and daycare without masks or tests. To be able to go to an indoor playground or a grill in the park is also a dream.
A big silver lining to the pandemic, is the new and improved attention given to our world’s natural environment. I have seen quite a few documentaries recently about protecting the world resources. The pandemic showed that if we just relax a little more and take care of ourselves and our environment, we may be able to save our planet. I for one have had the blinkers taken off and now try to do more for my immediate environment.
Keep up the good writing. 😉
Hey Brigadoon 😃
It’s always great to hear from you 😊Thanks for your kind words 😊
I can’t wait to hear what the kids now tell their kids in the future about this period of their lives.
I couldn’t agree more. I remember the first few weeks of 2020, just after COVID-19 protocols went into operation, most mountain peaks around the world could be clearly seen because there were less cars on the road, hence less smoke and carbon emissions in general!
Thank you for making time 😊
Stay safe in Germany!
Sitting confined to home and listening to people lament on those good old covid-free days, I wonder whether those days were really that good. Definitely, lock down days are real bore, but do they not teach us more about human life and Karma? Is not God reaching out to us to remind us of mutual love and righteous ways? Better days must be in store.
I haven’t been able to go on a vacation. We were in the process of getting our passports last year in March just before everything shut down. We planned on going to the Bahamas. Well, that didn’t happen.
And the one thing I’ve enjoyed that changed-people giving you space in the grocery line. However, I see that disappearing where I live bc most people think or feel it isn’t necessary. If no one tells them to, or there isn’t a mandate, they’ll revert to old behaviors.
One thing I haven’t been able to do because of the pandemic is visist relatives, and I most certainly can’t wait to get back to it. One thing I’m glad has changed thanks to the pandemic is the increased cleaning that everything is getting, I hope we never change that, even after this is all over 🙂
Hey Alexander😃
Ah, my thoughts exactly!
The standards of cleanliness we are now observing should continue even after we have got this pandemic in check.
Thank you for making time 😊
Always. Loved the post.
Thank you 😊
You’re Welcome
I miss seeing doctors and getting medical tests done in a timely fashion, for non-pandemic health issues. (although totally understandable and not something I resent under the circumstances.) I love that my own life is more peaceful and that a lot of younger people (like my sons) have had a chance to spend more times with their kids, gardening, cooking – just enjoying living their lives as opposed to working their butts off to buy more ‘stuff’ that they do not typically have time to enjoy.
But why don’t make use of this pandemic time! Check out my blog on how to make pandemic productive https://worthwhileexpressions.wordpress.com/2021/06/26/high-time-for-self-time/
Hey Mizaanvar!
This is a great idea.
I am on it.
Thank you for sharing!
I very much look forward to being able to see my girlfriend in person again.
Though I’ve never been someone who wanted an abundance of physical belongings in my life, learning I don’t need even as much as I thought I did has been a humbling experience.