Coronavirus: Calamity vs Blessing

It seems now that everywhere we look, the message of Corona stands right before us… and while there is an understandably dreadful connotation attached of the immuno-suppressed, the old and co-morbid dying and those suffering from anxiety finding it harder to cope – there are also many glimpses of light that hopefully we can focus on too. 

On an global scale, I have seen and heard people openly help each other: Chinese doctors who are experienced in tackling the virus flying to Italy to help face the soaring numbers of increased cases, the city of Detroit restoring water to homes with unpaid bills to help hygiene for all, Utah continuing to provide meals to students who rely on them at schools which have now been closed, a Birmingham mosque providing a service to the elderly so they no longer need to venture outside home for supplies, many football teams donating their tickets to hospitals and the homeless, and people coming together to help lighten spirits amidst this darkness – there are many viral videos of people in Italy enjoying each other’s companies from their balconies every day at the local time of 6pm.

This highlights a beautiful reminder that with collaboration and good intentions, we could help each other as one race on a global scale – not only for health-related issues but in poverty and technology. Joining our minds as one can have an impact so big that many of the problems we face today could be solved by this widened field of expertise.

On county scale, working in a hospital on a ward where it is solely dedicated to looking after corona positive or suspected corona patients, I have fist-hand witnessed the teamwork that has been shaped around coming together for the greater good. Team morale has been boosted with fellow members of the multidisciplinary team buying free donuts, coffee, Nando’s(!), and much more to keep the team going.

The whole ward wears scrubs and masks, from doctors to ward clerks, and while the need for differentiation between different members on the ward is understood, the uniformity highlights that whoever it is in the team, are just as important in making a difference to tackle this virus together.

On an individualised scale, there have been many groups of different people volunteering and offering to help their elderly neighbour or busy NHS staff member in getting the necessities and support that they require. Sacrifice has been made while some isolate to keep their family safe, no matter how hard it is to carry out. Isolation has brought people together, to reach out to one another while the hustle and bustle of life has slowly coming to a halt. A chance for people to go back to reading, painting, yoga and give their self the time they deserve.

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On a spiritual level, it has brought the opportunity of reflection. There are many places all around the world today, where going outside would be deemed unsafe and life-threatening; for example in Syria, Palestine, and Yemen. For a long time, many of these poor people have not had the comfort of freely walking their streets or attending community gatherings, for them it is deemed that their own homes may even be at risk of bombardment and violation. It may seem we have taken for granted the many blessings that we have and turned our back on those people who so desperately are looking for help and support. Next time we see an advertisement of those suffering, we must think that could so easily be us.

On a religious level, the virus has humbled us before God. A virus as small as 20-30 nanometres has caused the world to come to a standstill… that is the power of God. Death can befall any of us, no matter our race and no matter our heritage, we are all just as human as each other and this calamity must soften our hearts in to becoming the best version of ourselves. An appreciation of the blessings we have, our family and friends to look after us, and to reflect on the times that we may have taken them for granted. Coming together is what forms success. This is a chance to run back to faith and return to God, for He is always there to receive us lovingly.  

While there is much to be sad about with this pandemic, there is hope. Meanwhile, there is no date for when this will all end, so let us take the good where we can. There is a unique opportunity here to look into our hearts and minds and focus on ourselves, to strengthen our priorities which will enable us to excel in our lives in becoming better people to help shape the world for better.

“From the greatest cures of illness is to do good deeds, to be good to others, remembrance of God, praying to Him, imploring Him, and repentance. These have an effect on repelling ailment and the actualisation of healing…” – Ibn al Qayyim.