The Positive Side of the Covid-19 Pandemic

It seems like all anyone can talk about is the Covid-19 pandemic. I agree it’s worth talking about (and hard not to discuss). Still, most conversations tend to revolve only around fear of getting sick, sheltering in place, overcrowded hospitals, closings of all sorts, and lack of toilet paper. I’d like to propose a new conversation—one that revolves around the positive outcomes.

Of course, the number of people infected or who have died from the coronavirus increases daily. Yet, some good things have come out of the pandemic as well. Instead of focusing on all the negative news, let’s focus on the positive and intentionally work to increase these positive effects as time goes on.

Positive Environmental Effects of the Pandemic

First and foremost, the pandemic seems to be having a positive effect on the environment. For instance…

The canals in Venice are cleaner, which has made it possible for fish and dolphins to enjoy the water. Maybe the fish were there before, but with all the sediment constantly churned around by boats and gondolas, no one could see them. I suppose the dolphins might have been there, too…but I think someone would have noticed…but now they are playing near the surface of the canals.

Obviously, there is a power in shutting things down for a bit. We allow the creatures of the earth to thrive once again.

Pollution in China has been reduced significantly. An image from NASA illustrates this dramatically.

I would hasten to guess that pollution has been reduced in most major cities around the world. That’s what happens when you close manufacturing plants and stop driving so much.

Consider what would happen to the environment if we intentionally shut down plants and stopped driving for even a day every week—take a Sabbath—or for a week every quarter. Maybe we could slow down global warming.

Sky.com reports, “Up to 100,000 premature deaths caused by air pollution in China could be avoided if the country’s economic slowdown continues at its current rate over the next year.” Additionally, the Centre for International Climate Research in Oslo has said, “As the burning of fossil fuels has dropped, air quality has improved significantly and the impact will be felt worldwide.”

I hope we will see that the pandemic improved our environment globally and helped heal Mother Earth.

The Positive Relational Effect of the Pandemic

Despite social distancing and being sheltered in place, some people feel more connected. Almost everyone I’ve spoken to has mentioned that they are receiving more phone calls, text messages, and private messages on social media sites than before. People may be isolated, but they are reaching out more than ever both to old and new friends, family members, and colleagues.

And people are coming together as communities. I live in a remote area between Santa Cruz and Los Gatos, CA. We have Facebook and Nextdoor groups to keep us updated on news and sale items, but these groups are now being used to coordinate efforts to bring groceries to neighbors who are unable to go to a store or in the highest coronavirus risk groups. Individuals, too, have offered to help others in any way possible.

Two lovely videos have circulated that gave the world a little window into how Italians, who are on lockdown, have come together in song. An entire street’s worth of people joined together in song from their windows.

Also, in our busy lives, we rarely take time to slow down, stay home, and go inward. We forget about our relationship with ourselves and with God. You have time for reflection now—if you shut out the noise. Yes, stay apprised of the news, but focus your attention inward and away from the chaos and negativity.

Turn off the television and Internet. Instead, journal. Pray. Meditate. Sit in nature.

Additional Good Things to Come Out of the Covid-19 Pandemic

There’s a ton of bad news out there right now…most of it related to Covid-19 pandemic. However, there’s lots of good news out there to be found…if you go looking. For example, Sky.com listed these:

• In Eastbourne, UK, hundreds of people signed up for a telephone befriending service to keep their community together.
• Supermarkets have offered slots reserved for the elderly to make sure they don’t miss out on essentials, and they are implementing online ordering and payment and curbside pickup. Some banks are taking similar steps.
• 128 professional clubs from the Premier UK League, English Football League, and across the globe are competing in an online FIFA tournament, with fans watching online encouraged to donate money. It is hoped £50,000 will be raised for research into COVID-19.

Plus, I’ve seen many thought leaders, experts, and healers step up to the plate with free programs, meditations, Facebook Live events, and more. People are showing their goodness—being of service, helping raise spirits, and bringing people together.

The Post-Pandemic Challenge

Here’s the challenge: keep these positive effects going strong post-pandemic.

It’s up to us to do so. We have to remain intentional after everything goes back to normal, which it eventually will.

And we start now.

Remember that what you focus on expands. So don’t put all your focus on the coronavirus epidemic. Instead, put your focus on doing good in the world, feeling grateful for what you have, and the positive things in your life and the world.

Visualize and pray for solutions, healing, and a world where people are healthy, and the worldwide economy is booming.

And be a role model of calm, positivity, joy, and wellbeing amidst the chaos and fear. Help others find their center and move out of anxiety and stress during this difficult time.

Take a moment to brainstorm ways in which you can improve your situation, the situation of others, and the world condition right now. If you can’t think of anything to do, visualize what you would like to create.

Or meditate. In 1975, the results of the first scientific research on the effects of Transcendental Meditation (TM) on a population were announced. This study found a statistically significant reduction in crime rates in 12 American cities when the threshold of one percent of each city’s population practicing the TM technique was reached. There’s no reason to believe that meditation won’t help during the Covid-19 pandemic as well.

You don’t have to know how to do TM to make a difference, though. Just meditate. Maybe get others to meditate with you with the intention of eliminating Covid-19 quickly.

To continue raising positive effects in the consciousness of people all around the world, let’s keep this list growing. In a comment below, tell me what positive results you have seen coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic. And please share this post with anyone who could use a little good news.

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Photo courtesy of Sergey Nivens