Post Corona Life: Embrace The Change

30 August 2020 Coronavirus

The year 2020 is turning out to be one of the most difficult years globally, because of the COVID-19 pandemic that has stopped everything in its track. By the end of August, there were more than 25 million cases worldwide and nearly 850,000 people who had succumbed to the global pandemic. Many people, understandably, are in a state of fear, with treatment for the disease and long-term protection from the virus yet to be found.

Economic pressures from the virus have impacted countries around the world and led to shut-downs or closure of businesses, which have resulted in millions of people losing their jobs, being laid-off or having to take steep salary cuts, in both the formal and informal sectors of the economy.

The delivery of service is also rapidly changing following the pandemic, with people, businesses and institutions now increasingly turning to online to receive and offer their services. This has made it important for everyone to review and enhance their online skills.

Those who are related to the education industry are dramatically experiencing the change. In many countries, schools, colleges and universities have started teaching online, and teachers have had to keep pace with new online technologies, while students have to adjust themselves with their new online virtual classes.

It is crucial for parents to create an environment conducive to learning at home, and ensure children adhere to a learning discipline, have the requisite equipment and conditions to continue their education in a seamless manner. Since this form of education is in its initial phase in many places, the pros and cons of online education will become evident only over time.

As people, we all have to fight back against the odds with a strong belief in our resilience and inherent ability to overcome challenges that have seen us through numerous difficult periods in the past. Confidence in oneself, along with physical and mental health are key contributing factors to face challenges. Maintaining good physical and mental health helps to build confidence in one’s ability to overcome difficulties, as well as to share this confidence with others and build a community that believes in its ability to achieve anything it sets its mind to.

Community support and inspiration are key ingredients in reversing the socio-economic disruptions brought on by the pandemic. Community strength depends on the ability of individuals to convey a sense of optimism that then empowers the community. An optimist is consciously aware of living in the moment, accepting and embracing the changes with a hope for better tomorrow. Such optimistic individuals can remove the fear from the mind of others and contribute to the normalization of life in these troubled times.

Besides psychological and emotional support, we have to work on financial support to address prevailing socio-economic disruptions. It is important to uplift those who are in need. For example, the miracle of microfinancing by the Bangladeshi social entrepreneur Mohammad Yunus, a Nobel Prize laureate, who was recognized for founding Grameen Bank for those who are too poor to qualify for any bank loans. The Bank has over the years changed the life of hundreds of thousands of families in Bangladesh.

During the lockdown and curfews induced by COVID-19 infections, small businesses were among those that suffered the most, and they continue to struggle in their attempts to revive their businesses due to cash flow issues.

A community group could rise to the occasion and provide the much-needed loans to these businesses. While there is a fear that the loan may not be recovered in some cases, the vast majority are likely to repay the loans as they are part of the community and need to continue operating in the community.

Similarly, people in a community who have lost their jobs could, individually or collectively, start businesses of mutual interest on partnership basis. This would allow many people with limited to pool their resources in investments and inputs, while sharing in revenues or potential losses. This community enterprise could form the platform for local employment and give rise to sustainable communities.

People need to understand that governments have no magic wand; it is often people working together that create the conditions needed to solve problems at the local level. Remember, if you can help someone overcome their challenges and spread happiness and confidence in one family, you have added to the overall happiness of the society and the country.

 

SOURCE : TIMES KUWAIT

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