History will remember when half of the world shut themselves in to help, and half of the world stepped out to help.
If you are part of the second half – if you are key to the COVID-19 response, you probably hardly have time to eat, sleep or think. We are so grateful to you. Maybe you are in need of some reassurance, encouragement, coping strategies and a bit of light relief at the end of an exhausting day. We are praying for you.
Maybe you have symptoms or you’re caring for a family member who has it. Maybe every breath is a struggle right now and you need comfort and healing.
If, like me, you are not a key worker and are therefore part of the first half, shutting ourselves in to help save lives, you might have asked yourself some of these questions…
- What part do I play?
- How will I answer when my grandchildren ask me what I did during the Coronavirus pandemic?
- Shall I get on with all those jobs I’ve been putting off in the house?
- Should I be doing something more meaningful?
- Are there safe ways I can help in my community?
- How will I get on with my family when we are shut in together?
- How do I cope with the crippling anxiety that hits me when I first wake up and remember all this is not a dream?
Maybe, because of your family situation, you have a foot in both camps. Wherever you stand right now, we want to stand with you. That’s why we’ve set up this new series: Staying in, looking out. Some of the articles, vlogs and talks will hit the right note for you, and some won’t. Like you, the dozen or so Activate team members who have contributed content are all experiencing this crisis in very different ways. But, like you, we are each aware of the need to play our part in this brave new world, a world we hope will emerge kinder, gentler and more appreciative. Thanks for playing your part.
History will remember when the world stopped
And the flights stayed on the ground.
And the cars parked in the streets.
And the trains didn’t run.
History will remember when the schools closed
And the children stayed indoors
And the medical staff walked towards the fire
And they didn’t run.
History will remember when the people sang
On their balconies, in isolation
But so very much together
In courage and song.
History will remember when the people fought
For their old and their weak
Protected the vulnerable
By doing nothing at all.
History will remember when the virus left
And the houses opened
And the people came out
And hugged and kissed
And started again
Kinder than before.
Donna Ashworth
ladiespassiton.com