So much has happened in a week; I can hardly believe it. We are definitely living in an unprecedented time. For Hong Kong, our numbers doubled in one week. Last Sunday we had stayed at a solid 140 coronavirus cases for weeks. Then, with an influx of people returning to Hong Kong, we doubled our number and are now at over 300. Thank God and touch wood and do whatever other superstitious things I can think of, but we are still at only 4 deaths. I pray that remains our number.
While our school has been closed for 8 weeks, school closures are now a fact for many communities around the world. Because of equity issues, not all children are able to maintain schooling in a virtual manner. Despite whether or not a child still receives schooling during this time, I saw a message on Instagram from @trendyteacher, and I believed it to be so true:
Your kids are going to be fine. You don’t have to re-create school at home. Love your kids. Be their safe place. Read, create, play, sing, and talk together.
Unfortunately for some children around the world, being at school may be their only safe place during the day. I can only hope those children are finding safety in some capacity.
In the past week, as the school closures are a reality for not just us in Hong Kong, I’ve seen the world rally behind staying at home and social distancing (now attempting to be called physical distancing). It seems we are learning so much in such a short amount of time…. While I have no actual proof or data to support my claims, I’ve been sensing a shift in just one week. I think on the brink of all this craziness, there are things we are learning about ourselves and one another. What do you think?
Learning to Connect
The entire world seems to be connecting with one another more closely than ever before. There is so much outreach for others and so many ways for people to step up and help one another without contact. We can connect in virtual ways despite any isolation. I find this remarkable. Look at how quickly other items are becoming viral besides the virus: there’s a virtual Prom happening on Tik Tok, communities’ homes and apartments open their windows at a certain time each night to clap, sing, or dance, and the gratitude for those doctors and nurses working so diligently, sacrificing their own health is not going unnoticed. There’s a world connection happening…have you felt it?
Learning to Slow Down
In the meantime, people are slowing down. More families are spending time together, enjoying one another’s company: I know mine has. I bet in the last week more cookies have been baked, puzzles solved, games played, and books read than normal. Friendships are strengthening despite any physical distance with people checking in with one another. The skies are blue, spring has sprung, and people are out in nature enjoying family walks and hikes. Everything I’ve mentioned–despite the purchase of ingredients for cookies or the initial cost of the puzzle or game–is free. It’s as if we are turning off to take a moment to enjoy our day with our loved ones. We’re reaching out to our communities in ways that haven’t happened in a while. We’re all slowing down and taking it one day at a time because that’s all we can do right now. When daily life is threatened, each and every day becomes more cherished.
Learning to Care and Share
Some of the amazing things that I really enjoy witnessing right now are the acts of kindness happening across the world. Neighbors are buying groceries for their elders across the street while Russia has sent aid to Italy. Hashtags are going viral like a virus, and they’re working. How many times a day have you been told to “stay home?” Go Fund Me campaigns are popping up everywhere, and they are being filled. People are aware of the small businesses in their community, and they are buying meals to be had at a later date. These acts of kindness are so special to see in a time of complete and utter disarray. We don’t know when or how this is going to end, but humanity is stepping up and caring for one another. I for one am grateful for the human capacity of love.
Have you felt a shift in your community? A stronger connection with your friendships? A slowness and appreciation for your family?
I can’t be the only one.
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