Rose Madeline Mula Writes About Silver Linings to the COVID19 Cloud
It’s true. Every cloud does have a silver lining*, and the COVID19 cloud is no exception. As devastating as it is, it does have its positive aspects. First and foremost is the beneficial effect on the planet due to the COVID restrictions. Plane and train travel have been sharply curtailed, as have many pollution-producing manufacturing facilities. And since we have mostly been confined to our homes, our cars are no longer spewing massive amounts of noxious gases into the atmosphere daily.
Under a cloud (with a silver lining) (1920). Captions: "Thanks to my faithful brolski not a drop has touched me."
Consequently, in just a few short weeks, smog no longer completely obscures our city skylines, stars shine brighter, rivers and streams are beginning to run crystal clear, and in the oceans dying coral reefs are regenerating.
Hopefully, when the corona pandemic passes and we resume “normal” operations, we will remember the lesson learned and take steps to mitigate our destructive pollution-producing practices. Surely among us are scientists smart enough to find a compromise allowing us to live productively without destroying the planet.
I’m sure none of us would burn our houses in order to provide heat to warm us, knowing that we would be leaving our children only ashes instead of a home. .But that is what we have been doing to the earth — polluting it to boost our economy today, with complete disregard for tomorrow.
In addition to making us more environmentally aware, COVID is making us appreciate even more our doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel, as well as all those we used to take for granted — mail and package delivery people, grocery store cashiers and shelf stockers, cleaners who sanitize store shelves and shopping carts… and so many others. In short, all who literally risk their lives daily to help save ours — and at minimum wage.
Meanwhile, imposed isolation has made those who are important to us even more precious. First, of course, our families and other loved ones now that we are not able to hug them — especially when they are sick and dying, isolated in hospitals where they are comforted only by strangers. Even casual conversations are now more meaningful. As I write this, I have been isolated alone in my condo for almost two months. Because I am considered vulnerable, I have not admitted anyone inside or even stepped into the corridor for fear someone may have walked by and sneezed moments before, possibly trailing corona droplets.
When friends bring me groceries, they leave them behind my door, and we converse only through that closed door. The only humans I’ve seen are in my parking lot, three stories down from my balcony. Fortunately, thanks to technology, though I am isolated I am not alone or lonely. I visit regularly with friends on the phone, Zoom, Skype and Facetime. In fact, I am now in closer touch with some I hadn’t talked to in years. And in between those interactions, I am not bored. I have hundreds of movies available, thanks to Netflix and Prime, as well as thousands of books on Kindle and Nook.
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