Who would have thought that 5 March 2020, when the first positive Covid-19 case was confirmed in SA, would be the beginning of one of the toughest years we would have to face?
Now, just more than 365 later, most of us have the opportunity to reflect back on this extremely tumultuous year, some with sadness because of lost loved ones, others with stories of survival, and almost all of us with a grateful heart.
I believe the one lesson we can all agree 2020 has taught us, is that we are survivors and can cope with and adapt to almost any tough situation thrown our way. This is evident in the way we handled an extended hard lockdown, a first, second and the possibility of a third wave of infections, adapted to having to help our children become accustomed to some form of online learning, navigated the challenges of working remotely, got by with only the most essential shopping, as well as sanitizing our hands, social distancing and wearing masks.
Now, after more than a year of being in a National State of Disaster, with some level of lockdown still part of our everyday lives, we take the mandatory mask-wearing, constant sanitizing and washing our hands, and standing 1,5 metres away from a fellow citizen, in our stride.
We found creative ways to celebrate birthdays and other special occasions to try and make up, and ease, our longing for interaction with our loved ones, friends and other humans. The lack of any religious gathering was quickly nullified when even the churches started online services.
Another thing highlighted during this time, was the need for physical exercise, visit parks and be outdoors. When we were not allowed to be outside, nobody batted an eye when they saw someone jogging around their house, or even using their own circuit to get some much-needed exercise. Gyms tried to survive by offering online classes. Today, it is not strange at all to see people in a spinning or aerobics class, sweating it out with their masks on, or a jogger/ walker racking up the kilometres, all masked up.
Personally, 2020 was a very difficult year for our family, as we not only had a matriculant in our home, but both my husband and I were classified as essential workers and had to work throughout those first difficult, and often uncertain, times. We had a few Covid-19 scares, had to soldier on through having to adapt to going to school during a pandemic, writing pre-lims as well as final exams, as well as the possibility of a re-write or two, but, all in all, we came out on the other side, ready to fight another day.
Share your Covid-19 stories with us by sending an email to adeleb@caxton.co.za
Until next week, stay safe and look out for each other …
