What COVID-19 has made me value

It’s terrifying to learn that an illness such as coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading across the globe. The early stages of a pandemic can be especially anxiety-provoking. During this time, you don’t know how widespread or deadly the illness is going to end up being.

For many Americans right now, the scale of the coronavirus crisis calls to mind 9/11 or the 2008 financial crisis—events that reshaped society in lasting ways, from how we travel and live, and even to the level of security and surveillance we’re accustomed to. At times like this, we only focus on the negative.

We focus on the greed that is causing individuals with plenty to hoard food and toilet paper and to sell hand sanitizer online for obscene prices; the selfishness of those refusing to distance themselves from others because it puts a damper on their social life; the cruelness of those who say “it’s only the elderly who will die.” But feelings of negativity, fear, anxiety, sadness, and uncertainty are normal during a pandemic.

With all the tragic things that are happening in the world, now might seem like an unusual time to talk about being positive. Yet staying positive and being able to remember the people and things that make you happy right now is extremely crucial.

Again, it may seem odd to list all the reasons we should be positive right now, but positivity is essential in the face of a crisis. Now, more than ever, it's important for us to find things each day that make us smile, stories that provide a glimmer of hope, and information that helps us understand that we will make it through this!

So if you're finding yourself overwhelmed by everything going on, it’s ok! Sometimes it’s difficult to see that tough times can benefit us.

During these last couple days in quarantine, I've come to value my life more than I ever have. I've come to realize that I am so fortunate. I am grateful and so extremely blessed for the family God has placed me into. I'm grateful to have a roof over my head, food to eat, access to drinkable water anytime I want, clothes to wear, electricity, plumbing and other luxuries so many go without.

I am grateful for the nurses, volunteers and doctors sacrificing their own life for ours. As the coronavirus expands around the country, doctors and nurses working in emergency rooms are forced to make quick, harrowing decisions to help save not only their patients’ lives, but their own. From doctors and nurses to police officers, they are the front-line fighters in this battle. I am grateful for all the vulnerable workers who continue to work during this time. I’m also grateful to not be a senior, haha sorry I had too!

Instead of viewing social distancing as negative, let’s look at it in a positive light. A chance to reflect on our life, and make a plan as to what we’ll do differently to make sure that every day is a day worth living. Don’t watch the news too much. There's enough going on. Don't let your mental health take a beating too.

We appreciate you all very much! Please please please stay safe!

xo,

Shikha Patel & Shruti Patel