Let's look at the positives of this coronavirus situation

[anyname147]

• Less pollution from people flying and commuting
• Many of us will save money from not using public transport and petrol
• With cancelled foreign and UK holidays we'll save even more money
• Economising on toilet paper, food, clothing - everything basically, and cutting down on consumption because of fears of no income or no supplies in the shops is good for climate change and reducing carbon footprint
• Both the 1918 Spanish flu and this coronavirus pandemics were caused by people keeping animals for human consumption. This is a great reason to turn, if not vegan, then at least vegetarian.
• Schools and workplaces are making better use of remote working. This may increase people's work/life balance in the long term.
• There is a greater community spirit in some places
• There is a huge public understanding on germ transmission and control now which one hopes will continue after coronavirus and help to stem other diseases spreading.
• Public places, nurseries, schools, doctors surgeries, stores etc having entered a more hygenic regime with disinfecting everything and implementing stricter controls to prevent virus transmission, may continue this in post-coronavirus times so that there is generally less infections going about.
• People seem to be taking more care of themselves - being more conscious of exercise and nutrition to boost their immunity
• Children may learn more life skills whilst not being at school

I am sure there are more. Just trying to put a positive spin on things...

Community and friends support

Great thread OP, in amongst the doom and gloom. If it goes on long enough it'll fix both the global warming and obesity crisis !

It's crystallised what's important in my mind, making me spend less, enjoy the outdoors more, use new tech, help others hopefully.

I really hope some big policy changes will come about. The natural changes like those seen in Venice and the lowered pollution rates are compelling.

I’m hoping that kids get so much screen time they become sick of it - and start to genuinely want a kick about in the park with their mates instead!

I was out in the garden today and heard a little girl riding her bike around nextdoor saying "Daddy this is brilliant! Can we do this more often?". I have a feeling she might be getting her wish. Hopefully there will be lots of kids out there who will get some quality time with a parent they don't normally see so much.

People are valuing farmers more and realising that local, sustainable food production is important.

Local butchers and farm gate and veg box traders are getting lots of new customers who hopefully will realise just how awful and overpriced supermarket meat and veg is.

Veganism is losing all credibility and China are advocating drinking dairy to boost the immune system against corona.

The cows and sheep are still farting away and yet despite that there has been significant climate improvement.

Chris Packham has proven himself a complete and utter uninformed numpty stating that farmers will all be self isolating rather than farming meaning food production will be at risk. Plonker.

Finally people understanding that underfunding public services causes chaos when you need them the most. That goes for NHS, emergency services, military, schools, etc.

When it crumbles and the world turns upside down, who is there to pick up the pieces?

Once this is over STOP cutting budgets. Public services are NOT BUSINESSES and shouldn't be run as such. They are the backbone of out communities

Thank you, great thread. People have touched on it, but I'm honestly looking forward to time with my children. They have a large age gap and so not much in common but I'm hoping this will be uniting. I'm realistic, we will fall out but hopefully that will be outweighed by the good times.

Spending time with my children and husband without feeling like we have to do something or be somewhere. My children spent the whole day in our garden today and haven’t argued once (not sure if this will last!).

Community spirit and the willingness to help others.

Fantastic thread. So from me:

No rushing with the children, I’m so looking forward to no school run
Getting the chance to,play teacher- always fancied being one since a kid myself, it’s like a trial run on a very small scale
Doing lots of gardening with help of children
Completing jobs around house now husband at home full time albeit wfh
For SAHM like me, I’m relishing the adult company of DH being at home, I’m so much more relaxed
Loving the lack of aeroplanes in the sky
Loving the quietness of the roads, the M25 actually flowed today!
I’m hoping our streets and open spaces will get cleaner as more people have time to litter pick them
Loving the break that nature is getting from the lack of planes, cars etc..
Loving the community spirit and looking out for each other.

I am very concerned though that once this situation has been and gone that we will all go back to being tough on ourselves, on each other and that the lack of recognition to our NHS and other key workers involved in helping us all in this will return. Won’t derail the lovely thread though, above all I think it’s giving us all breathing space for a bit and hopefully resetting the natural world a bit.

I am using this as an opportunity to focus on teaching my dyslexic son to read and write properly. I have been busy researching the best ways and think I’m ready to start.
I would never have been able to homeschool because I’m a teacher myself and we need the income.
We have been told to isolate for 12 weeks by our GP - family of asthmatics.
We’re also using it as an opportunity to do things that we would never have had time for.
As long as we stay healthy, I’m feeling quite positive about this time with my family.

I'm hoping that the sympathy and practical policies for people losing their jobs (understanding from mortgage companies, better safety net etc) will endure beyond this crisis.

Perhaps the multi generational support networks and friendships formed now will endure. We had a leaflet through our door today asking if we need help ourselves or would like to volunteer as a buddy for someone local (shopping/chat on phone etc). I'm grateful to those that organised it and will volunteer to help.

Appreciating simple things.
DD and I made a daisy chain for the first time ever today, and it was lovely.

A lot of people will realise that they don’t need to drive the length of the country or fly across the world for meetings.

I think one 'positive' if you can call it that is how most people have just slowed down a bit. Most of us are guilty of being rushed off our feet we don't take enough time for either ourself, others and the little things in life. Makes you appreciate them more.
I appreciate my local butchers more and I never went there but will make sure I always will now.
Even just getting out around our area. I live 5 minutes from the beach but never went. Never realised how beautiful and calming it can be.

My washing basket is finally empty

DP and I are still working but being in at the weekend has given us time to get a load of chores done. And I've realised that I can entertain my 3 year old without going out or resorting to the TV. He is also learning to entertain himself too.

I am also really enjoying seeing local companies diversify and adapt to the current situation to keep themselves going and offer very useful services at this bizarre time.

And agree with all previous posts about changes in working practices. Work from home, meetings over video call etc...

Also connecting with family more.
All of my family - parents and my brother and niece are all over 300 miles away.
Before, we’d chat on the phone maybe 1-2 times a week.
Now, we’re texting, calling and FaceTiming every day.
My DD and her cousin were FaceTiming and simultaneously doing maths homework online together yesterday.

@ADreamofGood thank you!!

No rushing around with school/work/activity drop offs
No back to back softplay party sundays
No having to commute
I’ve bought carrots and seed potatoes to plant for the first time