Living in the midst of a pandemic has heightened levels of personal hygiene to unprecedented levels. We are (meant to be) forever washing or sanitising our hands, cleaning work surfaces and wiping down communal areas. We catch and bin our sneezes and sniffles and follow many other catchy slogans in order to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and well. The slightest cough and we panic. It’s a scary, unpredictable time fighting a relentless, tireless, invisible enemy.
But what if it weren’t invisible? What if we could see COVID-19? Say it were a fluorescent green dye that we could easily navigate? I’m not touching that door handle or getting on that train, the gooey green virus is plastered all over it. We would have one up on our microscopic foe and could combat its global spread as easily as scrubbing a pair of muddy football boots. The war would be over in no time and we could all return to normal life.
If only life were that simple. Unfortunately a lot of the ‘bad stuff’ in life is invisible to the human eye. Many of us are struggling with unseen or hidden problems which consume our lives and drive us to the brink of despair. If you could see a person was battling addiction, suicidal thoughts or mental illness would you intervene and help them? Or would you simply look the other way and avoid them like the plague? Or virus in today’s parlance.
Never judge a book by its cover and equally never assume that you know another or what they are going through. There’s a solution to this and it’s not rocket science nor will you find it in a top secret laboratory. It’s called being attentive and kind to your loved ones. I know it’s an area of my life I can do so much better in. I might not be able to look into people’s souls but I can do everything within my power to minimise the damage I cause others. Be kind today…and stay safe:
Black Thoughts 
i always joke and say.. if COVID 19 was visible almost like a zombie we could survive so much better 🙂 sorry it makes me laugh in this hard time
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I know that feeling 😂
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Well stated. In America, politicians act as if the virus has ended, and people are dying needlessly. In my state, over 1700 are hospitalized, so I wish, too, that we could see it for ourselves and eliminate it.
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The death figures in the USA are frightening 🙂
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Thank you. Great advice.
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You’re welcome 😊
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Compelling post, Stephen. It really got me thinking.
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You’re welcome. Thank you 😊
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I like the comparison you have made here. It would be nice if we could see if others were in distress as easily as the CSI teams can see if there is blood in a room using special tools. But I think this is why connection is so important beyond the computer. If you spend time with someone you get to know them and can tell when there seems to be a shift. It may not be something they say but a subtle shift in mannerisms or mood. Spread love and let people know they are seen and heard.
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You’re entirely correct. Thank you for your wise words 🙂
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Be safe!!
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I’ll try my best 🙂
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In Australia, at the height of the pandemic for us, because of people practising good hygiene and social distancing there were only 200 cases of the flu instead of 30,000. So, there is a big lesson in that right there. Hopefully, these sorts of side benefits of people becoming more aware of good hygiene and so on will continue.
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That’s great to hear. Go Australia 🇦🇺
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If we could see the virus? I would be more scared than I already am.
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That’s a fair point 😊
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Thank you for sharing and reminding us if the need to look at our own behaviour first, how we treat others. Kindness. It’s always the right choice. 😊
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You’re very welcome Hamish 🙂
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