Change is a continuous process and part of evolution of humanity and world. Almost one year back, world faced a challenge and in a way united the world (in form of Corona Virus). The impending changes it brought all across the globe has been immense. This note is largely based on observations from India.
It has impacted almost everyone – to some in small ways (rich people whose profits are little lesser but life is fine) and many others in big ways (who lost business, work, jobs and ways of livelihood and life). However, the pandemic can impact the health of everyone – rich and poor in similar ways.
The initial phase was of shock and blame game and then the humans came back to what they called – “new normal”. The same greed took over sympathy of earlier pandemic times. People started making money on the sanitizers or masks or availability of ventilators. Some people showed sympathy with poor and helped (very few showed empathy – as empathy is a way of life and not just a show-off). Helping others is way of life and can not be just a photo-opportunity.
For most of the governments across globe – it was also an unprecedented phase where they also struggled in managing the crisis.
Most schools, universities and educators immediately learnt the way of teaching online. It was easy for young educators and little difficult for the older ones. The job of school heads became more complex. However, more or less the teaching is happening (not sure if students are learning much, though). Now everyone is exhausted – teachers, students, leaders in schools and colleges. However, its going on to just make sure syllabus is completed. There was a news article that a large number of school leaders in UK are resigning as they are feeling too much pressure. Still studies are being conducted on the impact on mental health of kids and educators. After speaking to a small sample – I could gather that all of them are really feeling exhausted and de-motivated.
The so-called e-teaching platforms started selling to parents and kids (this is much more in India). The focus again is on fear of lagging behind (without these you can not be intelligent or get marks). They want to make sure that they make money on the fear of losing out.
The psychological change is the biggest one – where there is less focus (as most organizations want to make more money – in the “new normal”). Human is being left to fend for themselves – those who give us revenues and add value, can stay and rest can leave. Some companies are helping the people and many others are showing-off that they are. Large part of companies is not much bothered the human part (Human is just a resource for them). There are so many webinars being organized – like there is no tomorrow. Not sure on what’s the hurry. This is the time to practively manage own-self and help others in whatever way we can. Its not easy - but its not difficult too (just that one has to think beyond self). Relationships have been impacted in a big way - as humans are confused on how to act or think, at times.
Political people are using this time to settle own scores – they spread fear when needed; make changes to suit them (mass rallies in Bihar, India are one example). The information is suppressed and lies are spread.
Medical staff and resources are stretched to a level like never before. They request and plead with public to follow rules (masks and social-distancing) – but people follow examples set by the leaders. People want to live the same life as before – festivals are important, birthdays are important, marriages are important – but health of self & others is not so important (there is a myth that the virus can not impact us). People are just moving around and meeting people without any purpose (as if this time will not come again). The civic ways of managing self and caring for others are hardly seen.
Vaccine is the next step – where the clarity is not available at the moment and also false promises are passed-on to public. In India, it was also used to ask for votes in Bihar. Anything which is scarce, may lead to chaos initially. There will be preference for the privileged class and poor people chances will be towards the end.
The impact of this change will last for atleast 10-12 years for a large part of population and for some it could just be few weeks (as soon as they get own vaccine). The loneliness, stress and mental discomfort has impacted a lot of people. There is sudden emergence of so-called counsellors, mental health specialist, happiness guides (to make money out of the crisis).
Initially it was felt that this pandemic will transform the world and people to be more compassionate and empathetic. However, it was just a short term dream. Humans by nature have become greedy and individualistic to a large extent. There are people who have become much richer in this pandemic (but they don’t have any desire or will to share the wealth). To suit their convenience they start calling it new-normal. This is not NORMAL. Its a crisis and must be managed like that.
“The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.” – Albert Schweitzer
