Going Forward, Once We Can

Before I dive into some thoughts and ramblings that I've had during this entire situation, I need to say something: Every few days now, I learn of someone's passing. Whether it be COVID-19 related or not, I literally can not think of anything harder to suffer through than losing someone right now in such an unprecedented time. To be robbed of a deeply human experience of mourning someone in your chosen way. To not have your family and friends fly in to be with you. To not be able to go out with friends for a cathartic experience when you know it could temporarily soothe you, even just for a couple of hours. It sincerely devastates me and breaks my heart to think about all of the people I know right now who have lost someone. To all of you, I am incredibly sorry. I know you will hear this so many times right now, but please know that you can reach out to me if you need someone.

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Knowing this pandemic is something that no one in our lifetime has ever experienced is bizarre to try to process. No one was around the last time something like this happened. We as a species have been rushing to learn, collect data, stay stocked on supplies and food, and have been trying to simply stay healthy. Until now, I didn't think my hands could dry out and flake more than when I was an assistant doing shampoos all day at the salon. Through the emotional, physical, and financial toll this pandemic is putting on humanity, it's also putting a plethora of issues into the direct spotlight that will require all of our work and attention. The American health care system is clearly broken. Basically all workers deemed essential are underpaid. There are people in powerful office positions making too many questionable and irresponsible decisions that are directly affecting the quality of people's lives. The 2020 presidential candidate nominees lack the ability to inspire someone like me, but I'm now finding optimism again in prioritizing state congressional nominees. There is also the ever present issue of the environment on my mind and humanity's impact on it. Although climate change is not completely solved, people staying home is proving to work in combating pollution, at the very least. I think a lot of people are realizing that companies need to prioritize working from home for people. It needs to start being encouraged, not discouraged. The air is proven to be cleaner when we're not driving so much and all at once like during rush hour times. I think people are happier when given the option, too. And when employees are happy, the job gets done better, and often times faster. Seeing this happen first hand is exciting because it's working. It's one of the only universally good things to happen right now. Because of it, I personally would love to see global action on implementing mandatory stay at home orders for those who do not need to commute once this crisis is over. Maybe something like a month out of every quarter of the year, or even just a few weeks out of every quarter. I don't know, I am still simply brainstorming ideas and ways to keep less cars on the road all the time. I'm just honestly terrified that everything is going to go "back to normal" and back to "business as usual". I personally don't think that "back to normal" is what we can do anymore. There are simply too many people on Earth to make it work. Investments need to be made now in green, sustainable, and carbon free options. And at this point in time, we know the money has been there. If Wall street can get bailed out, so can the Earth. Sure there might be less of that money available after things have settled, but there needs to be a way. I don't think that can happen without a great effort from enough people, though. Even coal miners in places like rural Appalachia have said that they'd much rather work for a green company if they had the option to, it's just currently not there. So until there is an option, they're going to continue supporting their families in the best way that they can.

This pandemic has reminded people of what it means to be human. We are seeking each other out for conversations together more often than before. We are finding solace in books, music, art, and movies. We are creating during our forced time at home to alleviate our emotions. A significant number of us can do this because we have the time, because we are at home. It has unfortunately come due to the circumstances, but I believe it can become a norm if the stress of needing to commute to work is no longer mandatory. Commuting consumes time out of the day. Too much of it, for some. We're stressed out and tired after work, and a good part of why that is the case is because we need to get from point A to point B. But this situation has proved that for some, working from home can be a viable, permanent option. Less people on the roads overall will lead to less pollution, less time lost in the day, and less stress for everyone because there will be less people contributing to the commuting madness. How many of us remember how nice it is to get to work on a Friday because so many people work from home that day? Wouldn't it be nice to have that all week? And for those who would still need to commute to work, there should be something like a commuter's benefit for those workers. I think it should come from tax payer dollars, and it'd be given to workers in every paycheck. If all large and small businesses were given a way to prove their employee's presence as vital to the business, then there would be a guaranteed pay for commuting, or needing to rely on public transit. There would need to be something in place to prevent abusing this as an incentive program to reap financial benefit unfairly, but I don't know the logistics. I'm still just thinking. We've all abruptly been made aware of how important it is to appreciate the value of millions of people whose jobs were once before were considered "low skill" and "not worthy of a living wage". I think it's only fair that many of those jobs that are deemed essential get the financial recognition they deserve, too. Other topics that I've mulled over a lot during this have been things regarding my impact on the world and how I can better contribute to the economy. Going forward, I think it's important for all of us to look into how we can live more sustainably, and more mindful of our impact to the Earth, and to our fellow neighbor. Some of my own goals and ideas for how to make that happen include: - Attempt to grow my own vegetables and herbs once I have a yard again. Until then, prioritize shopping locally and from smaller markets and food vendors. - Continue to prioritize shopping directly from companies and smaller businesses instead of Amazon, Walmart, and Target. - At home, less truly is more. Continue to not bring in what we don't need, and keep what we value. Fix what can be fixed instead of throwing things away. - - Continue to donate what we don't need to organizations like Cradles to Crayons where items are given directly to people in need, instead of sitting on shelves at places like Savers and Salvation Army waiting to be potentially thrown out. - Once it's possible and the option is there again, purchase only recycled necessary paper goods. - Start composting (there are containers you can get for your kitchen counter, apparently? I should get one...). I don't currently have any more plausible ideas yet, but I think we all need to start brainstorming possible solutions to collectively put towards a new norm. We can continue to make time for each other. We don't all have to physically be present in an office. There are too many articles written now about how the entire system and how humans live was previously held up by wobbly stilts, and this virus knocked them down like a swift set of dominoes. My overall point is, not all of those stilts have to be propped back up. Maybe some can instead be repurposed to build bridges toward new, sustainable ways of life. What do you think?