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What positives are there to this?
Sarahlou63 · 14/03/2020 08:45
It's a bit of a stretch but I'd like to know what good might come out of the current crisis.
Personally it's affecting us financially as my DP can't take up a new contract (we live in Portugal - potential job offers are Utrecht/Brussels or Copenhagen) BUT he's going to write the work related books he's always wanted to but never had the time. For me, my coaching business is on hold BUT I've just finished a CBT practitioner course so I'm going to try and build up an online/Skype counselling service. I'm also able to spend more time helping out at the local dog shelter. Shovelling shit is strangely cathartic...
A neighbour is setting up a Whatsapp group so we can all keep in touch and help each other out with shopping/help with animals, etc so it will strengthen our little community, which has to be positive.
Globally, the reduction in travel and pollution has to be good for future generations.
Can you see any positives?
BookMeOnTheSudExpress · 14/03/2020 09:19
I agree with Semi.
We were all Pollyanna a month ago too.
Now we're under martial law (almost) and 7.2% of those infected are dying lonely, lucid, horrible deaths in our ICUs.
So forgive me if I find the OP's idea of how lovely it is that dp can write his book a little insensitive.
OutComeTheWolves · 14/03/2020 09:20
The nhs might finally get decent funding.
I think we'll see a lot more cases of people helping each other out.
General hygiene will improve.
Obviously doesn't outweigh all of the negatives but it doesn't do any harm to try and find some tiny positives in the whole thing.
Rhubarbpeony · 14/03/2020 09:23
Maybe if a large chunk of the population has to work from home for a while it will help normalise that and show that it’s possible, meaning more people are able to do it going forward. More home working would help reduce commuter travel and thus reduce some of the UK’s carbon footprint.
It’s a great shame to me that people don’t treat the climate crisis with the same fear and urgency they’re treating the Coronavirus even though the former is a much more serious and deadly threat, but maybe responses to the latter will have a positive effect on the former.
Also, this isn’t a positive but I hope this will help people realise the absolutely devastating effect a decade of Tory government has had on the welfare state, and just how vulnerable their ideologically driven austerity has left us in a situation like this one. That is almost the scariest thing - that people will die because the government hasn’t invested enough in the NHS or other emergency services. Maybe a small silver lining is that this could change people’s views on the Tories enough to vote them out next time.
Strongmummy · 14/03/2020 09:24
I think looking for positives in a situation is always a good thing, but there’s a time and a place. I think this week has been a massive shock to the system and so asking people to look for positives at the moment may be a stretch too far. At the moment the positives are I am thankful I have a roof over my head
Bestnewshoes · 14/03/2020 09:24
Well there are next to no positives are there, just a ton of worry and anxiety, BUT the environment will get a bit of a breather with the lack of flying. Poor people losing their jobs though, it's very hard to feel good about any aspect of it whatsoever tbh.
Rhubarbpeony · 14/03/2020 09:25
Now we're under martial law (almost) and 7.2% of those infected are dying lonely, lucid, horrible deaths in our ICUs.
So forgive me if I find the OP's idea of how lovely it is that dp can write his book a little insensitive.
And I find your suggestion that we are ‘almost under martial law’ insensitive since it isn’t remotely true and appears to be an attempt on your part to stir up panic and revel in people’s fear.
YakkityYakYakYak · 14/03/2020 09:26
It’s a great shame to me that people don’t treat the climate crisis with the same fear and urgency they’re treating the Coronavirus even though the former is a much more serious and deadly threat
I was thinking exactly this. Would like to understand the psychology behind it.
Designerenvy · 14/03/2020 09:31
Very few positives but I'm seeing first hand here, in Ireland, that communities are pulling together .
People are checking in on neighbours and message boards are full people offering to get groceries etc for those who cannot make it to the shops due to self isolation measures or disabilities .
Also, the message boards are full of offers to mind kids while parents have to work.
Healthcare workers are being offered free lunches etc by local businesses and everyone is expressing their thanks to healthcare workers also.
On the other hand, I can see lots of people being selfish, panic buying with no regard for those who cannot afford to bulk buy. Some people also have an attitude of " I'll be fine if I get it " .....yes, you may be fine but what the vulnerable people you can pass it on to. They may not be "fine" .
So, both side of the coins, but it's good to see people pulling together for the most part .
BookMeOnTheSudExpress · 14/03/2020 09:52
No, that's why I said "almost".
As you accused me of lying and scaremongering I presume you are also in Italy and can prove me wrong.
Don't you have armed police at your railway stations and on the streets checking everyone's documents and certificate saying they are out of their house for one of 4 reasons?
If not, which town or region are you in?
Or would you maybe like to retract the bit about what I said "not being remotely true" and that I'm scaremongering?
Because you're not in Italy perhaps.
OutComeTheWolves · 14/03/2020 10:56
I think the psychology behind the covid/climate change difference is pretty simple. One is happening in one fell swoop over the next couple of months and one is a slow burner that's going to gradually change our lives over decades. So one feels more urgent than the other.
As I saw on a Facebook post, climate change needs to start using covid 19's pr people!
Rhubarbpeony · 14/03/2020 11:01
I suggest you go and read up about martial law, learn what it really is, and then realise how absurd your frightening and untrue statements are. Because unless your property is being forcibly confiscated, your opposition parties forced to disband, your human rights suspended, your press put under the direct control of the military, your right to free speech removed under penalty of arrest and imprisonment and your courts replaced by military tribunals you are not remotely close to martial law, and you’re a big part of the reason why people are behaving like idiots, clearing shops of food and toilet paper, and leaving vulnerable people subject to desperate shortages.
BookMeOnTheSudExpress · 14/03/2020 11:19
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Rhubarbpeony · 14/03/2020 11:29
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