Linda Asimole Ellah
lindasimole@gmail.com
+234 814 6779 226 (SMS only)
www.lincornellah.com.ng
The Corona virus of 2019 came upon the world like the dawn of a new day. Though some experts and researchers give some hint that they saw it coming. Nonetheless, no one can say they were not taken aback in some way by the shape and form in which it has played out, it is playing out, as well as the diversity of responses and issues it has provoked and unearthed, country by country.
Like everything that begins someday gets to have an end, let’s believe that the Corona virus and the situation it has presented in the past months will one day be a thing of the past. Yet, it is one of the most uncertain circumstances we have faced as a global village; “No one knoweth where it cometh nor where it goeth.”
True, life itself is uncertain, but we had some routine, usual way of doing things and usual way of relating with one another which the COVID-19 pandemic shook to its root. We shall look at some of the social effects of this global pandemic and how best we are dealing with them.
Social Distance: This was one of the first behavioral recommendations put forward to control passing the virus from person-to-person. This has been widely propagated and it has become a daily clarion call as a way of slowing down the spread of the virus. After a while, we were helped to understand that what we need to keep is not “social” distance but “physical” distance. We cannot afford to be socially distant from one another, but physical distance is necessary.
Even though the term is used interchangeably by some, it makes a difference to know that the emphasis is on avoiding “physical” closeness. Along this line of thinking, “Social” distance does not fully apply because we have continued to reach out to one another and have continued social interactions without being physically close or together. In this way, the use of either words make a difference.
Physical Distance: Even the physical distance has had its issues socially. The COVID-19 period has seen some people experience more loneliness, boredom, depression and isolation. It has been a part of the package this period. Hence, the need to reach out to friends, relatives, loved ones, colleagues, and acquaintances continues to be of great importance.
The issue of physical distance has seriously touched on how we relate with people physically. With the Nigerian culture of spontaneous “touchiness” – handshakes, hugs/embrace, touching, physical closeness and holding of hands, we have had to unlearn and relearn. During this COVID-19 time, you need to have the courage to tell someone who comes too close to you, beyond your personal comfort, that you need them to step back while speaking to you. This need not be an embarrassing instance at all. Everyone knows the issues around the Corona virus transmission and so every individual needs to be able to claim their physical space to avoid infection.
Stay-at-home: With the blaring announcements to stay in-doors, many of us stayed at home. This meant that we refrained from visiting and from being visited by friends, family, and neighbors. Although in some more rural locations and neigbourhoods, this never applied as it was either not feasible or the people did not make sense of it for various reasons. Reasons such as work demands, interdependence, not really experiencing the fatal effects of COVID-19, and for some, not believing the COVID-19 is even real.
For those who stayed home for a period, the effects have been diverse. Some have been through loneliness, isolation, boredom, putting on weight, engaging in unhealthy habits and behaviours to cope with the confinement, exhibition of aggressive behaviors due to some frustration, domestic and sexual violence, emotional abuse, child abuse and molestation, relationship breakups due to poor communication, loss of job, unending search for jobs online, not meeting up with planned activities and scheduled events, loss of regular sources of income, and for some families – discomfort at the amount of time available to stay together. In some low-income families, kids have had to constantly be on the streets hawking wares or food items. These circumstances have indeed posed a great challenge for individuals and families.
On the other hand, there has been some positive social effects. For some persons, they have been having more time for reading and study, spending more time with spouse and kids, engaging in creative work indoors, taking online courses and obtaining certifications, participating in MOOC sessions, meetings and conferences through ZOOM and other similar platforms than ever before.
During this period too, some persons have had more time to listen to radio and watch news or movies, for women in particular – learning of new recipes and picking up basic ICT skills, and for children – learning of different skills, more time to use their creative minds positively, more time to play and some home time for study, more time to listen and learn positive values from parents and older persons. These positive outcomes and many others are worth carrying forward for personal development and adding value to others.
Regular Hand Washing: Some of us have never been this conscious of our hygiene as we are currently. We and our kids wash our hands regularly at home, and in the office environment for those going to work. This period has seen homes make it a pre-requisite that you wash your hands with soap and water (and/or use hand sanitizer) before stepping into their living room. A short while ago, it would have felt embarrassing to make this demand of friends and relatives visiting your home, but it is now acceptable given the COVID-19 situation. It would be a good practice to carry on this handwashing habit in our homes for any house member returning home or any visitor coming into the house. After all, it will minimize passing on of bacterial infections and other communicable diseases.
Online Communications, engagements and Interactions: Is there any social, corporate, religious or entertainment group/platform which has not gone online or made some attempt to engage its members or followers online during the COVID-19 period? More than ever before, people across the world have engaged in meetings, conferences, trainings, courses, conversations, workshops, and learnings online as a way of continuing their reach outs and keeping followers/members engaged on their common course and/or goals. Many persons have had to learn how to use various ICT platforms and electronic gadgets so as not to be left behind.
Howbeit, we know that this form of communication and engagement is exclusive as many persons who do not have the required gadgets, network connectivity, funds, and space are not able to benefit from these pronounced ways of moving on with work and life. And so, many are left behind.
What this calls for is that if you can use these means to learn, acquire knowledge and skills, then you have the obligation to share it with others who do not have such opportunity. See yourself as a leader and mentor to others so that it comes spontaneously to share and engage others to benefit from what you know and skills you have learnt.
All in all, we remain social beings who need to reach out to one another even to keep sane and to keep work and life moving forward progressively. May this COVID-19 period deeply instill in us: value for family, value for work, value for hygiene, value for regular communication, value for friendship, respect for the other person’s physical space, respect for children, respect for others’ emotions, better listening skills, empathy, sharing of knowledge, sharing of material goods, sharing of food, philanthropy – even with the much we have, generosity of time and understanding, and building of healthy relationships.
Together We Can… overcome the negative social impacts of COVID-19!
Because what YOU DO matters!
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