Somewhere Over the Rainbow

In my previous post Seeking the silver lining in the COVID-19 Cloud I discussed some of the good things that might come from the devastating pandemic that is sweeping the planet. 

Natural benefits

Silver linings include benefits to the natural environment such as reduced air pollution and knock on benefits. 

Space: the final frontier

As well as fewer traffic accidents, some cities are making space for cyclists and walkers to support social distancing.

Rainbows

Then there are many examples of communities finding ways to help each other and show their support for carers and key workers. In a lovely example, rainbows have been appearing in thousands of windows across the UK.

Waste Not, want not

According to new research another long term issue is being addressed as Britons reduce food waste, eat smaller portions and enjoy meals more.

Signs of change

A wide range of sentiments are being expressed through Pandemic closure signs, and there is even a website entirely devoted to the subject: Due to COVID-19. 

Unsung heroes

There is now widespread support for key workers in a wide range of professions.

Support our NHS

In the UK People have been finding all sorts of creative ways to support the NHS and raise much needed extra funds. This includes musicians and celebrities doing their bit - for example the BBC’s Big Night In - and who would have thought that Thank You Baked Potato would become a thing?

National Treasure: Arise Sir Tom?

And who could miss the shining examples of ‘ordinary’ people like 99 year old Captain Tom Moore leading by example.  - at the time of writing, he has raised more than £28 million, and he has added a Number 1 single to his list of achievements!

Key workers

With such widespread public recognition for key workers, there is a strong argument for them being better rewarded as well. I was pleased to read in my local paper that Devon County Council is funding pay rises for carers contracted to the local authority. I had a look around, and found a couple more examples of employers funding pay rises in North Yorkshire snd Sheffield. Some supermarkets, such as Marks & Spencer are also rewarding their staff for keeping working during the crisis. 

Crock of gold?

I really hope this catches on, and there is a well-deserved crock of gold at the end of this particular rainbow for all the people who have kept us going throughout the crisis, particularly NHS staff and care workers.

A chance to catch up

A few people sent in comments in response to my previous post, including some who are taking the opportunity to sort out the craft stuff, or catch-up with admin. As one commenter said:

“The guilt of never doing all those things is gone!!! ”

Care and Kindness

Many have enjoyed spending more time with their family and pets. Despite the need for social distancing there are many examples of care and kindness, even in highly urbanised locations.

Then there are those who have used the opportunity to tackle tasks they hadn’t had time to do previously.

Levelling the playing field

Two people - in separate conversations - told me that working from home has come as a blessed relief as they hated regularly being put into situations where they don’t feel comfortable. For some, every journey is stressful, every time they walk into the office and people look up. They feel much more comfortable and in control of the situation and anxiety levels are much reduced. 

There’s a fascinating article by Chloe Sargeant that shines a light on this issue from the perspective of the chronically ill: Isolation has made the world more accessible for chronically ill people like me, and people who live in far-flung places have historically felt left out - it’s just not practical for them to travel to events. 

“I hope that once it’s over, that this big, bright, glorious world my community finally has access to isn’t taken away”