The Five Best Things About the Coronavirus Pandemic

Yes, you read the title right. The year 2020 has been the craziest, strangest year so far. In so many ways, it has sucked ever since we were pushed into lock down and quarantine mode, many of us forced out of jobs, and lacking basic supplies such as toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

But no matter how crazy and crappy something is, it is always good to look on the bright side. It’s awful having to wear a mask to the store or being stuck inside all day, but there is a silver lining. Never fear! So, without further ado, here they are:

1–Reconnecting with family

The past few years, we’ve all been so disconnected from people, especially the people who are supposed to be the closest. We live, share a space with these people that we love, and yet we often fail to connect with them. We are all too busy texting, playing games, facebooking, or whatever-ing on our phones. Don’t be ashamed. We’ve all done it. You’d be sitting in the living room with your spouse and kids but you wouldn’t be exactly present. Why not? Because you, your spouse, and even your kids are all on the tablet, phone, or the TV, absorbed in these fictional, virtual worlds.

Since Covid-19 happened, it has allowed many of us to just stop, step back, and enjoy the people and things around us. When the world stops, like it did back in March, we started to enjoy the simple things more.

I know I did. I just had my baby boy just two months when we were forced into lock down. Because of Covid-19, I was able to really enjoy him. When life stops and you find yourself at home every day, all day, you can’t help but start to appreciate the things and people around you better. A whole lot better.

2–Picking up a hobby

With so many of us out of work and school, it gave us so much free time. I noticed a lot more people on Facebook, just lurking and posting. I imagine people hunched in a corner of their room, humped over their phones, trying to pass the time away on Facebook, or Twitter, or Instagram. I know I’ve been guilty of it.

With so much free time available to us, this is the perfect time to pick up a hobby. Learn something you’ve always wanted to learn but never had the time because of work or school. Now with no work or school, it is the perfect time. Start a blog, a YouTube channel, or learn a new craft. Learn how to knit or crochet and make a nice scarf for your loved one for Christmas. Sit by your window and paint a picture of what you see.

During lock down, I’ve been reevaluating myself, trying to figure out how to better myself. I’ve started blogging again (yay!) and hopefully will keep at it forever and ever (fingers crossed). I’m looking at ways to generate more income, such looking for some side hustles (I’m seriously planning on becoming a notary agent).

3–Starting a creative enterprise

Since lock down has begun and people have been encouraged — even forced — to wear masks in all public places, many creative enterprises and ideas have sprung up. Remember the college student who invented the clear mask to make it easier for the deaf and hard of hearing to be able to lip read? Or the hundreds — thousands, maybe even millions — of people who’ve started sewing masks, and then selling or giving it away to friends and family?

Yes, the Coronavirus has absolutely sucked, but it has made way for all of this creativity to blossom to help make other people’s lives blossom. Thinking of this makes my heart soar. Yes, there is hope. There are so many people who are doing things for the betterment of others. That is something to celebrate especially in this individualistic world.

4–Using technology in new ways

So many people went sent home. Some were fortunate enough to be able to stay home and work remotely. Some weren’t. As the new school year starts back up, people are choosing homeschooling or virtual schooling for their kids. People are using apps such as Zoom or Skype to have work meetings, classes, and more.

Before Covid-19, technology was already so advanced but now we are being forced to use it more just to survive. Before it was just optional. Now, it is a requirement. Now we’ve had to shop online, use apps for curbside pickup and have work Zoom meetings in our underwear and dress shirt. We should be thankful that technology has evolved so much to allow us to do this. Imagine if we still had the technology of the early ’90s. Imagine how much different and hard it would be to survive.

How have you used technology during this pandemic? Do you find that you’ve used more or less of it?

5–Cleaning Up the Earth

Just weeks — maybe even days — after we were forced into lock down mode, I saw news articles about less pollution and cleaner air. This is so remarkable and so amazing. It is no secret that the Earth is in trouble. It’s good that Covid-19 forced us into our homes. We needed it just to let our beloved Earth — our home — heal. It makes me wonder if perhaps we should all stay home regularly — once a month or once a year — to help save and clean up the Earth. What do you say?

What do YOU think is the best thing about the Covid-19 pandemic?