Coronavirus- Getting Prepared to Rebuild Life

Most countries were not well prepared for handling Covid-19. Enough masks, gloves and protective gear for medical staff were not arranged, enough hospital beds and ventilators were not planned and even the number of people required for caring for the infected fell short. Sudden strict lockdowns created immense misery and hardship to thousands of people in their day-to-day life. We do have some time to prepare individually, and we should learn from the recent past. When you know that a storm is coming, it is better to be prepared. One does not know which homes the tornado will strike in its path. All are vulnerable.

If your remunerative work has substantially reduced or stopped during the lockdown, you are at greater risk.

List all Resources

Your preparation should begin with listing all your emergency resources. Make a list of all your close friends, relatives and neighbors, and your acquaintances, who you call fall back on for help. Update their contacts. Get in touch with them just to know their welfare.

Then look at your preparedness for survival. Are you in a position to sustain the shelter, food and clothing for yourself and your family for the next three months at least. If not, do you know from where you will make up the shortfall? Think about various options to take care of your needs. No option, including free help from various sources, should be ignored.

Look at your financial resources. Can you keep yourself and your family afloat for the next six months if your earnings dry up? If not, what options will you like to work on? Examine opportunities outside your regular vocation also – part time work, services on line, tutoring that you can do, casual help that you can provide. Find out about and make use of the assistance being provided by the government and various other agencies. Keep doing this till you find a roadmap and a solution.

Courage and Maturity

Nervousness is natural in such circumstances. Counter it with action. Have faith that you can tide over the calamity. What is happening now may be extreme, but this is not your first brush with adversity in life. You got over all those troubles, and will get over this one too.

Do not feel angry. No one has brought this scourge intentionally. Many are suffering like you, and may be suffering much more. Take the opportunity of staying home to develop an attitude of calm and happiness. Spend some time exercising and practicing yoga. Meditate. Subscribe to the free 21 day meditation course offered online by Oprah Winfrey and Deepak Chopra. See motivational videos on YouTube. TED has good motivational lectures. Make yourself mentally robust to stay confident and relaxed in this time of crisis.

Join a group that is helping people in a situation worse than yours. In addition to keeping you occupied and needed, you will get ideas on what help even you can get from others.

Learn a New Skill

There is always something at the back of our mind that we want to learn and do, but did not start due to perceived lack of time. There is a huge opportunity now to learn that on line, or with some online help. The more skills you have, the better are the chances of your getting a remunerative breakthrough whenever needed.

Survival is the only Goal

For some time, let day to day living – simple, relaxed, healthy and happy – be the only goal for you and your family. Help each other in doing so, with love and compassion. Don’t worry or brood about anything else. Time will take care of the rest, and you are doing your best. Life requires nothing more.