Can COVID teach us how to be more human?

By Rev Tracey Matthews

COVID came like a bullet to disrupt our lives in ways we could never have imagined. It changed our world overnight. It changed our daily patterns and restructured the way we do business.

The impacts of COVID are wide but not uniform. It has taken many lives and caused widespread suffering. It has isolated many and border closures have kept people apart. Some people have increased their wealth substantially while many others have gone backwards. Many people can work easily from home while others have lost their jobs. Some industries have flourished while others have been decimated. Some people have maintained their well-being while others are suffering.

Despite all of this, COVID has taught us some valuable lessons. Humans have a great propensity to adapt and innovate. We can come together to serve the common good. During COVID we’ve seen so many acts of kindness in our communities. People reaching out to care for those who are isolated or vulnerable. We’ve started to appreciate nature and our connection to it. We’ve recognised our addiction to hyperactivity and consumption. We’ve noticed those who are vulnerable and forgotten.

COVID has given us a chance to decide how we want to live. Do we value human relationships over consumption? Do we want to change our systems of distribution so that all people can flourish? Do we want to put the health and future of our planet before short-term economic gains? These are choices we all need to make!