Corona Silver Linings

It's been 22 days since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. As of 7 days ago, a third of the world's population was locked down. And been 8 days since NZ's full lock down.

Let us not forget that prior to WHO's announcement, the world has been hit with at least 6 natural disasters (to name some);

1. Taal Volcano Eruption, Philippines
2. Australia's Deadly Bushfires
3. Flooding in Dubai
4. Flooding in Indonesia
5. Pakistan locust infestation
6. Brazilian floods and mudslides

Climate-change activists kept reminding us:

• Efficiency: Use energy wisely
• Sustainability: Use less waste (such as straws, plastic bags), and take action to save forests (such as planting new trees, use less paper)
• Reduce emissions (such as walk and cycle more instead of driving your car).

Definitely, shows that a lot has changed globally since this dark Corona cloud came about (or even before) although I'd like to shift your attention to the silver linings of this pandemic.

I'd like to outline it to 4 points:

1. Globally
2. People
3. Future of Work
4. Opportunities

Globally

While we trace the source of COVID-19 (is it engineered, or zoonosis?), let us not forget the currently wildlife may be benefiting from this phenomenon. How?

• China started banning trade, and consumption of wild animals.
• According to a study by Stanford University, the drastic measures enforced by the Chinese government during the outbreak slashed air pollution, and likely saving the lives of tens of thousands of living things.
• Air pollution and CO2 fall rapidly as virus spreads.

• Venice's Grand Canal is the clearest in 60 years as dolphins can be seen spotted swimming in the waterway.
• You can even listen to #StayHomeSounds

Those are just a number of examples, that obviously, the world just hit that RESET button. We didn't do it overnight however, some countries took longer to respond, or even take the pandemic seriously. One piece of learning though is how WE are ONE, and INTERCONNECTED.

Another learning is that boundaries are artificial, and that the only way to flatten that curve (fast) is to shut the borders, but of course, cooperation between nations become essential to combating this epidemic.

"The atomistic billiard-ball model of the person – a model that dominates political and ethical thinking in the west – is biologically ludicrous and sociologically unsustainable. Our individual boundaries are porous. We bleed into one another and infect one another with both ills and joys. Infectious disease is a salutary reminder of our inter-connectedness. It might help us to recover a sense of society. " Sick Autonomy, PubMed

This brings me nicely to my next point, which are PEOPLE.

PEOPLE

Here in NZ, we are truly blessed with a thoughtful Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, good people, and amazing healthcare. Around the world, it is different, but no matter how different it is, I noticed that solidarity among people become stronger as the days pass. We all realise that again, WE are ONE-- that what our neighbour does, affects us one way or another.

If you look at social media, you'll be overwhelmed with how the faith in humanity restored:

• When we 'Clap for Champions'
• Meals on Wheels
• Friends in Need initiative
• Supermarkets giving priority to elderly, vulnerable, and essential services
• Subsidised broadband to help bridge digital divide
• 3D Printed ventilator
• And much more care plans from 2Degrees, Spark, and Vodafone.

Society is definitely showing a lot more compassion, some of my connections in LinkedIn started support groups, and even online trainings/ meetups (we'll discuss this more later).

"Crisis brings out the best & worst in us."

- Unknown

However, let us not forget that not all countries (and leaders) treat their constituencies the same, my hope is that this pandemic remind us, and of some neglected constituents-- that is, learning from other people's (this case countries) best practice, and mistakes; and most of all learn to respond fast, learn from your first responders!

"If in doubt, call out"

-Unknown, a NOC motto

Certainly one of the best responses to this epidemic is altruism, so let us start celebrating our front-liners (first responders such as nurses, doctors, phlebotomist, engineers, cleaners, and even supermarket assistants etc.)-- these are unsung heroes who lay their lives in the midst of this epidemic. My mum (phlebotomist), sister-in-law (nurse), and a few of my friends are one of these front liners. Imagine as they come home late at night, or early in the morning after working long hours not being able to kiss their family good night/ good morning. This is the time to start looking for the good in others (and not share fake news about people fighting over toilet paper, or conspiracy theories against 5G or China).

This is also the time to start strengthening your connections, take that time to spend that quality time with your loved ones. Take this big RESTART to cook breakfast for your family, play with your kids, do some household chores (yes, husbands like me who delay stuff this is for you!), and have long meaningful conversations with them.

By strengthening connections, this means being a good neighbour, friend, sibling, or child by checking on them (while observing social distancing of course!). It might also mean supporting and buying from your local brands/ growers.

FUTURE OF WORK

This brings me nicely to my next point which is the Future of Work, or some may say is WFH (Working from Home), or in other countries are called WFA (Work from Anywhere)-- though the latter don't apply with the lock down in place!

For my team, WFH brought upon work productivity to 'a-whole-nother' level. For one, we trained ourselves in diversifying our roles, sharing the love as we call it when we try and branch out and collaborate to cross-functional teams remotely. This while saving the commute time, and help out every now and then to daily chores (i.e. a simple dishwashing can go a long way!) This is a perfect time to show our family our daily work pattern, especially to our kids so they can be exposed to adulthood early on! Another one for parents is how we could teach our kids to multi-task, i.e. in between meetings fix them a meal! Or even just watching your kids study remotely forms that bond of togetherness.

I've also switched on Analytics, and it is amazing how my collaboration time with my team skyrocketed (i.e. things that you don't normally measure because it is answering "walk up queries"). We are also loving our team catch ups/ face time as we meet each other's families, and pets!

Being able to be considered as an essential service worker, and still be able to WFH is certainly a bonus so big KUDOS to my employer Spark for that!

Last but not the least, it made me appreciate my family, my dad who's also WFH who we check on at least twice daily; and finally my wife who now I appreciate even more with the things she does in the house-- she is the REAL HERO of our house! I definitely savour the small moments around the house: coffee aroma, the warm shower, comfy bed, the convenience of a home gym!

OPPORTUNITIES

If you reached this part, thank you for being awesome! When I say opportunities I mean:

• Self-Improvement: use this time to better yourself, learn something new, and make sure you teach it back so you can gauge understanding. Here are some useful resources:

Remote Working tips from LinkedIn

Ivy League Courses

Learn to Code

Paulo Coelho books

Fitness-wise:

Home workouts here: https://watch.lesmillsondemand.com/at-home-workouts

Chris Hemsworth' app Centr is also free for 6weeks: https://centr.com/join-us

https://bit.ly/3anWBUE

Zack Henderson Limber training: https://zackhenderson.com/limber-lifter-bodyweight/

Get Strong eBook: https://bit.ly/2ULoK1i

• Network with people by attending AFQY meets, and even joining NextGen Leaders Programme.
• Calls for cross-collaboration as online platforms are diversifying from food and beverage services to other services such as daily necessities products. Emergence of e-commerce features in the market such as Beep Delivery that establish partnership with local logistic providers to help F&B businesses to run their own food delivery can further enhance the ecosystem within the gig economy. And also, food delivery riders from companies such as Grab Food, Food Panda, Dahmakan and LalaMove are seeing more business when options for dining out are constrained.
• Last but not the least, take this RESET as an opportunity to innovate, and think of who and where we put our energy to. Never put your eggs in one basket.

My closing remark is that, this epidemic certainly can bring out the best and worst in people; it is however dependent on whoever you are as a person, either you become a "hard boiled egg" or "mashed potato" after being on boiling water.

With all my points above, I certainly feel that we as humans have increased resilience (WE ARE STRONGER THAN THIS!); increased immunity; and finally been able to think a lot clearer (woohoo to clean inbox!)

How about you? I'd like to hear your story, or just simply say hello to say that everything is OK. Stay safe, talk soon!

Other Source:

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/mar/17/silver-linings-how-to-stay-positive-during-the-coronavirus-crisis