As I sit here outside my home enjoying the freshness of the morning breeze and the quietness of the morning, tears fill my eyes as I reflect on where we are as a people, a society and a nation.
The world has been affected by something we cannot see and it has caused so much uncertainty, death, displacement, fear, anxiety and loss.
It hurts to think of how many are unemployed, hungry, depressed, fearful, sad, alone, worried, struggling mentally to cope and overwhelmed. It hurts to think about those who are facing domestic abuse daily with no escape; those who are in toxic home environments with no escape; those who are self-harming and battling suicidal thoughts; those who are overwhelmed with the weight of caring for elderly, disabled or unwell loved ones at the expense of their own care; those who need a break urgently from their children, who are now seen as a task rather than a joy.
It hurts to think about those one percenters, those from the privileged class who society deem as upper class and rich and are perceived to have it all together because they are financially free but silently are emotionally, psychologically, socially and spiritually damaged and in bondage and are slaves – these people facing most of what many of us are facing too.
The world desires a cure for COVID-19, believing that once it is found it will fix so many of the things we are dealing with. But will it?
One thing COVID-19 has done is reveal the diseases of society and mankind – our lust and addiction to money, materialism, self, career, false validation and keeping up with the Joneses.
The salons, barber shops, retail stores, malls, service marts, cosmetic surgeons ARE ALL CLOSED. The covering of our issues, shortcomings, faults and realities are hard to cover now. There is no foundation, blush, mascara, concealer, liposuction, implants, reductions or enlargements available to cover or alter the realities. COVID-19 has been that microscope and LED light that has revealed it all. The mask and fake have been uncovered. But is this a bad thing?
Many of us have lived the fake and covered for so long that we don’t even know what is real. Many of us are meeting ourselves for the first time in a long time and many of us don’t even recognise the person we are looking at in the mirror.
Many of us have been reflecting on what we have attributed as valuable, important and necessary in our lives. Many of us have been refocusing, reflecting, reforming, restoring, restructuring, returning, redefining, repositioning and resting.
Many of us are, for the first time in years, spending time with our spouses and partners, parents and children. We have returned to being our brother’s and sister’s keeper. We are sharing, caring, calling and checking up on each other. We are cooking, baking and experimenting again. We are being creative and innovative – so many new ideas are being birthed. We have returned to reading and writing and basketry and painting and drawing and planting food. We have been forgiving others and putting differences aside. We have been going to bed early, spending time in prayer and meditation, reading our Bibles and sometimes just sitting quietly and doing nothing.
Many wanted a break from jobs, office environment and bosses – they got it. Many wanted out from some friends and relationships – they got it. Many wanted vacation and time off – they got it. Many wanted out of organisations, committees, programmes, churches and other religious programs – they got it.
Large countries are helping small ones, and small countries are helping each other. Crime is down. Drug use and access is down. Prostitution is down. Adultery is down. Drunkenness is down. Sexual promiscuity due to carnivals and wild street parties and fetes is down. Pollution due to carbon emissions is down. Littering is down. Noise pollution is down.
The world is returning to the basics of community, love and support that were the foundations on which we built our societies.
COVID-19 has humbled the WORLD. It shows no favour nor is it a respecter of person – gender, race, class, social status, religious affiliation.
It has taught us never to underestimate the unseen. You may not be able to see it, but you see it’s effect.
What man meant for evil, God can use for good. Oh, and God is unseen… enough said.
So as the world desires a cure for COVID-19, I ask you this question to think on – could COVID-19 be the cure society needed?
Corey Worrell
a Bajan with an opinion – nothing more, nothing less.
Executive Director, C2J Foundation Inc.
~ making lives better~
