It's time to harness your superpowers to minimise the impact of Covid-19

What has Covid-19 prompted me to do?

Covid-19 has prompted me to reflect on the meaning of life and to radically rethink my priorities as an individual. I have always believed that love, happiness, freedom, kindness, gratitude and altruism were precious virtues but now I believe they are even more. Also, this virus reinforces how you cannot put a price on good health, it forces you to confront your mortality and reconsider what is important to you.

We are all ‘equal’ and we are all ‘vulnerable’ in the eyes of this virus

Additionally, this virus is a great ‘social leveller’ it highlights that whether you are the Prime Minister of England i.e. Boris Johnson who has tested positive for the coronavirus (BBC, 2020). Or, you are Prince Charles who has reportedly contracted a mild case of the coronavirus nobody is more important than the other because this virus does not show preference to people because they are prominent, powerful, royal, super-rich, well-connected, famous etc. (Hinsliff, 2020). Therefore, it underscores and demonstrates to us all that no one is immune from becoming infected by it whoever they happen to be, and it reinforces that royalty, aristocracy, celebrity etc. and other symbols of wealth, power and status are ‘social constructs.’ Furthermore, we are all ‘equal’ and we are all ‘vulnerable’ in the eyes of this virus.

The things I once took for granted I place greater value on

I have experienced some very challenging things in the past few years. However, I have realised that the things that frustrate, irritate and sometimes make me angry do not have the same power over me since this has happened. Why? Because, this has made me put many things into perspective. Also, the things I once took for granted like going shopping, seeing people out and about and participating in activities outside of my home are now things that I place greater value on. Being able to go out for my one hour’s exercise in nature under the constraints of lock down is something that I look forward to each day and treasure. Perhaps, this is something that other people may be experiencing?

Is, this pandemic precipitating a shift in our thinking and behaviour?

In Western liberal economies there is an over-emphasis on: individualism, materialism, consumerism, capitalism and an obsession with youth and beauty. Maybe this terrible pandemic has and will precipitate a shift in our thinking regarding ‘who’ and ‘what’ we attribute ‘importance to’ and maybe just maybe it may make us better people and better custodians of our earth. I believe that Covid-19 has already led to a shift in thinking and behaviour however it is probable that this situation is temporary and when this crisis is over, we may revert to type. That said, the way we are interacting with one another currently in person and online (but mostly online) feels more positive, friendly and caring. Additionally, this ‘change’ in ‘us’ can be substantiated by the acts of kindness, community spiritedness, solidarity and altruism that is being well reported in the news.

It is uplifting and a tonic to hear and see good news in these difficult times

Even, the media seems to be more balanced now. Hooray! It is not primarily focusing on bad news i.e. the coronavirus. It is also reporting on the ‘power of good’ that individuals and communities are doing in their little or big corners of the world. It is so uplifting to hear good news and it is such a great tonic in these difficult times we are living in! I hope when things get better for every country and person affected by the coronavirus good news will be the Queen to bad news who always seems to be crowned the King by the global Mass Media. I put it to you if we can celebrate the good in the world when we are in dire crisis. Surely, we can celebrate the good in the world when there are no crises.

Some positive news stories in these difficult times

Here are a few fantastic examples of people supporting one another and using their ‘superpowers’ to help one another get through tough times:

Covid-19 Mutual Aid groups are supporting people across the UK (Booth and Robinson, 2020).
#Clap for our Carers at 8 pm on the 26^th of March 2020 showed a lovely token of appreciation to the workers throughout the nation on the frontline saving lives (Mac Lellan and James, 2020).
More than 700, 000 people have signed up as NHS First Responders to support staff at the frontline of the NHS (Mc Guinness, 2020).
Becky Wass a British lady from Cornwall created postcards to send to her neighbors who are self-isolating offering them practical and emotional help and support which is very caring of her (BBC News, 2020). Her postcard template has been shared by the ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ online global group. You can access the postcard template here: Website:https://assets.randomactsofkindness.org/downloads/hello_help_cards.pdf

There are many more examples of the general public using their superpowers for the power of good (Blair, 2020).

To reduce transmission, we must heed our government’s advice wherever we live

At, a time like this it is important for you to heed your governments advice and guidelines wherever you live to ensure that the transmission of this virus does not multiply and spread. So, we must all listen and act responsibly and thoughtfully so you do not unnecessarily jeopardise your health and life or the health and lives of others like front line workers in the NHS who are not being tested for the virus and in some cases are working without proper ‘Personal Protective Equipment’ (Busby et al, 2020). Therefore, every citizen has a duty to stay safe to help to halt the spread of this virus and assist in saving lives. The UK government has comprehensive advice for all citizens to refer to (Gov.UK, 2020). For more information click on the link below:

Website: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

What are our top superpowers that we can harness for the power of good?

In, addition to people acting responsibly, thoughtfully and safely. These are the top superpowers that we can harness for the ‘power of good’ in these difficult times: