Sunday, 27 March marks exactly two years since South Africa entered its first ‘three-week’ hard lockdown period.
When alcohol, cigarettes, cooked chicken and slops were banned.
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When we all started making bread. When we’d sit glued to our phones watching the infection rate spike across the globe. When we’d look forward to our ‘family meetings’ with the prez.
When we sat at the end of our driveways, having socially distanced braais with our neighbours. When Netflix became our best friend.
Absolutely nobody has come out of this period unscathed. Deaths. Divorce. Depression. Denial.
The pandemic has taken so much from us – and continues to do so.
But for us to get through this trauma, we need to work through what has happened, and take stock of what we’ve learned.
The pandemic has been horrifying. But there are some positive lessons that have emerged. Here’s a look at our top 5.
1. Taking responsibility of social media
The role of media has always had a significant place in history, with its far-reaching influence leveraged to create public awareness.
However, where traditional forms of media have established checks and balances in place – informed reporters, editors, ombudsmen, and the like – social media is open game.
And this can have devastating results.
The rampant dissemination of misinformation has caused such havoc in dealing with the spread of Covid-19, but people are questioning what they read more and more, with authorities finally implementing stricter regulations for these platforms.
2. Public health relates directly to economic health
The human cost of the pandemic is far-reaching, but the impact on the global economy is also significant.
The total cost of the pandemic will not be known for some time, but it’s anticipated that it amounts to around 8% of the GDP in developed countries like the USA.
This is a macro example of how poor population health costs the economy.
By investing in the health of the nation, the benefits for economic growth are substantial.
3. The need to prioritise mental health
Physical health conditions have been in the spotlight with co-morbidities a major concern, but the pandemic has also shone a spotlight on mental health challenges – and the need to address this. Stress, anxiety, loneliness and depression are some of the key mental health issues emanating from the pandemic, and these can severely debilitate sufferers with knock-on effects in the home and work.
4. Global collaboration must extend to the climate
Getting the pandemic under control required collective action, and the speed with which countries took drastic measures to curb the spread showed the world what could be done if we want to address climate change. And we must. Lockdown, swift change of habit, decreased levels of pollution, and appreciation of the natural world needs to extend into a global effort to quickly change behaviour and save the planet.
5. Self-care is not indulgent
Going to work when you’re sick. Putting work before family. Working overtime. Taking one for the team. These insane models of work have led to diminished mental and physical health, family issues and a disassociation with nature. The pandemic showed us there is a different way – and it’s a much better way. Taking time for oneself, spending time with family, exercising, taking time out in nature and finding one’s true purpose are all much more important than ‘doing your job’.
With an end to the State of Disaster (hopefully) on the horizon, vaccination continuing and regulations lowering, there is light at the end of the tunnel. While Covid-19 is likely to remain with us for some time, so are the lessons we’ve learned over this time. Now we just need to implement them and make a positive difference where we can.
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