PERSPECTIVE DURING

Perspectives During A PandemicPerspectives During A Pandemic Reading Past the Headlines

9 weeks. 9 weeks of crowding round the TVat 5pm. 9 weeks of death, anxiety and claustrophobia. 9 weeks of uncertainty, fear and isolation. Coronavirus has brought the UK together whilst being so far apart in an unprecedented time of chaos and sadness. But while we’re jumping at the sound of the BBC news notification, hoping for a sense of comfort and progress, instead we’re met with the death figure climbing ever higher despite our best efforts tofollow the rules. We have been so consumed by the news, the numbers, the rules and regulations that we have forgotten that while society may have come to a standstill, the world still moves on.

I think perspective in times like this is key. Looking at the situation from the positives rather than focusing on the negatives may seem cliché but is critical for both society and individual health. Spending weeks upon weeks following every briefing obsessively, reading the live feed in between breaks while working hard during the required hours will strip you of any essence of faith, leaving you to become a product of the news. Instead of spending every meal-time discussing the news, each conversation with your isolated family members miles away echoing government guidelines, let’s talk about something else. ANYTHING ELSE!

While we’ve been caught up in the virus, we have missedhuge milestones and accomplishments around the world every day.

In the last week, turning points have been made that have changed people’s lives. A 2018 Californian wildfire started by PG&E equipment took the lives of 84 people. Last week, the company agreed to plead guilty to the charges and paid $4million in fines while funding restoration for residents who lost access to water due to the fire. This has impacted the lives of 84 families and relieved them of some grief knowing the responsible are being held accountable for the damage and destruction they caused.

The death penalty is a controversial subject area, but it is argued by many that there is evidence of people being t r e a t e d i n a n u n e t h i c a l a n d d i s c r i m i n a t o r y m a n n e r w o v e n throughout. It has also seen many innocent people executed for crimes they did not commit, with 156 people since 1973 being released from this punishment upon evidence they were in fact innocent. Last week, Colorado became the 22 nd state to repeal the death penalty, meeting 60% of American’s wishes.

On March 15 th , we were focused intently on the deaths rising from 21 to 35, one of these deaths in Scotland. We forgot to grieve for the lives lost on March 15 th 2019, where an Australian white supremacist killed 51 worshippers at two mosques in New Zealand. However, Brenton Tarrant’s initial denial of being involved in this act of terrorism changed last week. He now pleads guilty, providing some relief to the “Many people whose lives were shattered by what happened on March 15 th” (Jacinda Arden, NZ Prime Minister). Tarrant will now spend life in prison.

93% of malaria deaths occur in the African region with 435,000 deaths occurring globally (to date there have been only 3,200 Coronavirus deaths in Africa). This disease still rages on amongst civil wars and dictatorships which have been cast aside amidst Covid-19. Innocent young lives continue to be taken every day but our awareness towards these events has ceased. Therefore, going unnoticed at the start of May was the news that scientists have discovered a microbe, Microspordia MB, that completely blocks mosquitoes from being infected with malaria. This microbe has so far shown a 100% blockage rate and has the potential to have a profound effect on a mosquito’s metabolism, making it inhospitable for the malaria parasite. This could slowly reduce the infection rate of this 30-million-year-old deadly disease.

Similarly, last week, Australian scientists made a breakthrough in prolonging the life of precious, breathtaking coral. With 30% of The Great Barrier Reef’s coral perishing in 2016 and another 20% in 2017, this natural wonder is dying and little attention is beinggiven to it. Earlier in 2020 it suffered a mass bleaching event, the third in just 5 years, but I can bet many of us have no idea what coral bleaching even is, let alone the devastating effects it is having on our climate. However, this recent breakthrough has found a way to help coral reefs fight the effects of bleaching by making them more heat resistant. On top of this, Australian scuba operators have stopped running tours because of coronavirus and are instead using staff and vessels to plant new corals along the Great Barrier Reef.

Hopefully, news like this reminds us that coronavirus has not halted life entirely, there are still key moments taking place every day. While some of these events are taking lives, others are changing them. Giving people justice, comfort, sustainability and health.

Perspective is key amongst a pandemic, taking the time to read beyond the daily headlines, spending less time focusing on what has been lost and more time on what has been gained. Outside of the immense sense of community spirit and appreciation this period has brought us, we must recognise the monumental turning points that have been made in criminal justice and science, just to name a few.

Next time you pick up your phone and open that dreaded app, stop and think, would I rather fill my head with more of the same negativity or explore the hope that continues to occur in the world? Spend a few 5pm’s with your family, playing a board game or trying to make that sourdough you have been feeding for the past 3 weeks. Use your time wisely because we sure have a lot

of it!