The Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is widely reported to have resulted in most people being lonely and depressed, thus more need for all to watch their mental wellbeing.
The month of February is often associated with love and affection, therefore an opportunity to spread love as many are trying to cope with the Covid-19 fatigue. In terms of celebration of the 14th February as Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, there are numerous accounts to its history, to the extent that some pose the question “who is the real St Valentine?”
Nevertheless, the Saint we are celebrating today is known as the Saint of Rome in order to differentiate him from a couple or so other Saint Valentines. The word Valentine apparently comes from the Latin word “Valentinus” which refers to worthy, strong or powerful. It has an element of a reconciled martyrdom hence a number of martyrs have carried this name. Ancient Rome has also contributed to the popularity of this cause on February 14 in the 3rd century AD, when Emperor Claudius II executed two men called Valentine. Their martyrdom was celebrated by the Catholic church on St Valentine’s Day. Historically and biblically, Saints intercede in earthly affairs and entertain petitions from living souls, also as patron saints of engaged couples and happy marriages. St Valentine’s Day as we celebrate it today was made more popular by English poet Geoffrey Chaucer and he is often regarded in some quarters as having invented the day.
There are no records of romantic celebration of this day that exist prior to his 14th century poem, The “Parlement of Foules” or the modernised “The Parliament of Fowls”. In this work, he successfully linked a tradition of courtly love with celebration of the Feast of Saint Valentine. Chaucer’s poem refers to February 14 as the day on which birds (and humans) come together to mate. “For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne’s day. Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate.” It is from Chaucer’s work that St Valentine’s day gained momentum in terms of romance and the current commercialisation. February is a month commonly known as lovers’ month, like any other past Februarys, the 2021 February joins the list of them. However, the 2021 February is an exception as it brings with it a mixed bag of memories to lovers. It is unlike the lovers’ month of 1914-1918 during World War 1, not the same as that of 1918 as the world grappled with the Spanish flu nor the February of 1939-45 during World War 2.
The 2021 February is celebrated amidst COVID-19 pandemic that has turned the globe upside-down. The pandemic that has created widows and widowers, child headed families or worse wiped some households whilst bringing untold economic hardships. Lovers had to be separated due lockdowns, curfews, travel ban, quarantine and self-isolation and for those who would or unscathed new ways of expressing affection in line with COVID-19 health protocols.
Indeed, February 2021 is unimaginable and despite the dark cloud hovering over including cyclone Eloise, let us find space and time to memorise and celebrate who we are. Let us celebrate in memory of our compatriots who have departed and those who have lost their loved ones due to this pandemic. As we navigate the uncharted waters of COVID-19, let us still find time and space, pick a red rose, a card, pick a cell phone, drop an SMS, WhatsApp, tweet, inbox, email and express affection to those we love and the martyrdom cause. It is an expression of who we are and therapeutic to our emotions.
Due to the commonality of mental health problems due to the pandemic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the following tips to reduce stress and promote wellbeing:
- Pause. Breathe. Reflect
- Connect with others
- Keep to a healthy routine
- Be kind to yourself and others
- Reach out for help if you need it
