The Coronavirus, continuing to spread since the end of 2019, has undoubtedly impacted the lives of people globally. It is not only the virus that is spreading, but also fear. We started with such little knowledge about the disease that no one knew how to treat it, or even avoid it. There is a constant worry for the immunocompromised, the elderly, and people who have underlying health conditions. Their bodies lack the ability to efficiently fight the symptoms of the virus, making them more vulnerable to a poor outcome. The symptoms of the virus range from severe illness, to the loss of taste and smell, to no symptoms at all. And the possibility of being asymptomatic only adds to the fear that COVID creates, as people can be unknowingly passing the virus to others.
Even though the Coronavirus has created panic, sadness, and undeniable struggles for many, there are life lessons that have clearly emerged. If we can learn from this time of hardship, perhaps we can benefit in some way going forward.
1. Think of others when making decisions.
During the pandemic, we have choices to make every day. These decisions not only impact us, but also impact others. There are many scenarios in which what we do or don’t do can result in either saving lives or putting them at risk. As teenagers, there is a constant desire to socialize. While it seems ideal to see our friends in person, there are alternatives during quarantine: FaceTime, Zoom, text, and social media platforms. Social distancing was essential during the beginning of the Coronavirus spread, as the numbers of cases and deaths were constantly rising. Now that these numbers are beginning to decrease, we have more opportunity to be with others. However, with this opportunity comes more choice. While the CDC advises us to wear masks and stay 6 feet apart to lower the chances of spread, some individuals choose to ignore these recommendations. Deciding to disregard these suggestions can lead to an increase in the chance of infecting ourselves as well as others. These specific examples are just a few of the many times that our decisions can have an effect on other people. This is true in many aspects of our lives. Even when this pandemic is over, we are going to continue to make choices—some easy and some hard. We should not forget what the Coronavirus has taught us about our actions and how they directly impact others.
2. Value what you have, when you have it.
To prevent the further spread of the Coronavirus, schools worldwide have made the decision to close for the rest of the year. Since March, the quote “I miss school” has been a surprisingly common phrase for most teenagers. This just proves how much we took school for granted. We chose to focus on the negatives: extra work after school, those nights we had to cram for an exam, the early wake ups, and those tests we did badly on. Instead, we should have been grateful for the ability to see friends, play school sports, and make memories. More importantly, we are now forced to interact with our teachers and fellow students through a computer screen, rather than in person. Without having these opportunities at school, there is a sense of regret for not valuing them. Going forward, avoid taking things for granted and instead be grateful for what we have. It is important to value opportunities and chances because we never know when they will be taken away.
3. Find the silver lining in times of hardship.
The dramatic decline in industrial production and motor vehicle traffic has resulted in the rapid decrease of pollution that was once overwhelming many populated areas. Although some may think that these changes are only temporary since production and traffic will start up again once the pandemic is over, some of the environmental changes could likely continue. Through this experience, we have learned that it’s possible to work remotely—especially in the corporate world—perhaps resulting in a more permanent environmental impact. In addition, the outbreak has uncovered flaws in both the economic and healthcare systems i our country. While recognizing shortfalls in these important infrastructures may be upsetting, they will influence improvements to make the systems more effective and beneficial in the future. It is helpful to look for the positives, even during times of great adversity. It may be hard in the moment, but finding the silver linings can make us more optimistic.
4. Learn from mistakes.
Our lack of knowledge and slow reaction in managing the pandemic has resulted in over 100,000 deaths in the United States alone. We hope that this experience has given our country and the world the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and better prepare themselves for future public health issues and other struggles. We will all make mistakes in our lives. If we can learn from them and apply this new knowledge going forward, we can avoid making the same mistake twice
5. The importance of resilience and perspective.
This pandemic has definitely left a mark on the people of the Ardsley community. The cancellation of spring sports, clubs, competitions and many milestone events has taken away opportunity and closure. Non-school related activities such as vacations, summer plans, and hang-outs can’t happen due to the current restrictions. But, it is important to realize that even though we are disappointed, there are people who are suffering from worse things such as unemployment, health threats, and poverty. Having perspective can help us be appreciative of how lucky we are, despite our struggles. At this point in our lives, we must realize that these lost opportunities are only a few of the many to come. As a community we must be resilient, in addition to having perspective. Both of these qualities make it easier to bounce back and look forward to the future. We have gotten through other obstacles in the past, and we will do it once again.