A Defining Moment in World History
He that dwelleth in the
secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty-
Psalm 91:1
Do you agree that the times are changing? Perhaps it is better to say the times have changed. The world is at a crossroads; it is a defining moment. Prior to #COVID19 the previous defining moment was "9/11". The world has never been the same since the horrors of September 11, 2001. Those of us privileged to have travelled before "9/11" can compare the before and after. Our world as we know it has once again changed forever; nothing will ever be the same again after the novel coronavirus pandemic. We now live in a dispensation characterized by social and physical distancing. Staying at home is driving many folks up the proverbial wall. Many people are on edge given the directives and in some instances mandatory commands for us to remain at home for the collective good of the wider society and for ourselves. It is a most challenging time for so many folks to be in quarantine and away from family and friends. The impact of the coronavirus is also negatively impacting the economics of families, countries and individuals. In some instances hard working individuals have had to file for unemployment claims while some have resorted to food banks in order to feed their families. Governments across the world have put in place economic stimulus packages in order to soften the economic devastation on the most vulnerable in the society. In Jamaica the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus stands at 58, while globally over 1.2 million people have been infected by this dangerous respiratory induced virus and more than 70,000 deaths have been recorded. The news is rather depressing and frightening; some might add the future looks bleak. However, there is always a cloud of silver lining and optimism around the corner. The current pandemic is troubling given there is no vaccine or treatment. This daunting reality has driven many into a state of depression. To make matter worse there are a number of conspiracy theories being circulated. These videos only serve to add to the confusion and stress levels of the population. It is important that we safeguard our mental and physical health during this period of uncertainty and stress. It is critical that we find outlets to be engaged in during this time of # StayAtHome. For most of us watching the television is the beginning and the end of the day.
Remain Active At Home
As the world move towards a post-coronavirus era more of the labour force will likely work from home. It is important that we remain physically active. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued some guidelines regarding remaining healthy while at home. The #WHO recommends getting up often to stretch one’s muscles. The WHO suggests getting up often for at least three minutes; this include walking up and down the stairs, doing some stretching exercises, dancing to music for a few minutes. Additionally, there are quite a number of resources online which are content rich regarding exercises and tips concerning how to remain safe and active while bunkered down at home. While watching the television will provide us with critical information regarding the coronavirus we need to be mindful that this sedentary activity is not good for our state of physical health. We need to remain physically active. For apartment dwellers there are exercises which can be done in the confined space. One can do a few pushups on the floor. One can engage in dance right there in the apartment or our house. Those with a backyard can and should utilize the space outside. There is nothing to lose by going for a walk in the back of the yard, perhaps engage in some skipping jumping jacks or bend and touch your toes exercises. Maybe you are financially well off and as such you can a take a swim in your pool or perhaps go for a ride on your favourite horse on your ranch. The idea is get up and move around. In addition to engaging in physical activity we also need to pay attention to our mental state. How are you coping in these worrisome times of insecurity? There are a number of activities to help in this regards. There are cross words puzzles, there are words games, whether online or in the form of e-books. No activity is more satisfying and spiritually enriching than to read the Bible. Now is the time to get intimate with the Scriptures; fall in love again or get acquainted with your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Psalm 91 is highly recommended as we seek refuge in terrifying times when our minds and bodies are searching for answers. Reading on a whole is a wholesome fun activity to engage in especially at this time. Reading can be for information as much as for entertainment and fun. Reading aloud to your children will mirror within them a good habit. Contemporary gospel is rather soothing; music in general speaks to all of us; there are many genres to select from. This is probably a good a time to engage family members in order to create a stronger bond. We are mindful though that many individuals have no immediate family and are alone. It is our duty to check up our family and friends. We can FaceTime, we can WhatsApp or just make a call just to say hello, how are you? Perhaps those who are younger can offer to get the senior citizens groceries or fill their prescriptions. The power of social media is pretty much on display in such a time like this. Many are staying connected through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter just to name a few. I can hear someone asking about video games; yes “Pop”, if the playing of video games is your thing then go right ahead. Interestingly, we can learn a lot from playing certain video games. This activity also assists with the development of cognitive skills. Remaining safe at home is multi-faceted and requires some amount of planning. It is strongly recommended that we limit going on the road unless its life and death. As a result meal preparation is one of those activities which one should engage in. Meal preparation can be a fun activity for the entire family. Since schools are out and parents are #homeschooling their children, this is a time for parents to get their children involved in creative, social and fun ways to prepare meals. Young children will be excited if parents allow them to participate in making sandwiches or drinks for the family. Older children, such as teenagers can help with preparing the dinner with supervision from parents. There are those who are into gardening; this activity helps both with mental and physical endurance.
POST COVID19 WORLD
This time of soul searching does not have to be dull and boring. There are various online recipes which the more adventurous among us can try. Now that we are all at home we need to find ways and means of escaping boredom. The news is depressing and frightening. Try to avoid watching the news as the last activity before retiring to bed since this might affect your sleep. We must and we will overcome this pandemic. The coronavirus is reminding us that relationships are important and this will be useful with regards to how we move ahead. The virus has reinforced the concept that the world is indeed a village. We are witnessing so much generosity especially geared towards those on the frontline fighting to curb the spread of this deadly virus. When humanity is faced with great obstacles the best of us emerge to help our fellow brothers and sisters cope. We are seeing corporation between countries which normally do not get along. The WHO has reported that every country and every continent, except Antarctica have been impacted by COVID19. We must prepare ourselves to rebuild our communities and build our selves and families as we move post coronavirus. In the lyrics of Charles Jenkins, my God is awesome He can move mountains, keep me in the valley, hide me from the rain. My God is awesome; heals me when I am broken, strength where I have been weakened. Forever He will reign. Perhaps this is the reminder we all need. We serve a mighty God who can speak to COVID19 and the virus will be still. Do not lose courage my brothers and sisters in such a time like this. We are all into this together. This too shall pass. Blessings!
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
#BeActive #StayAtHome #COVID19 #homeschooling #socialdistancing #Jamaica
©
Do you agree that the times are changing? Perhaps it is better to say the times have changed. The world is at a crossroads; it is a defining moment. Prior to #COVID19 the previous defining moment was "9/11". The world has never been the same since the horrors of September 11, 2001. Those of us privileged to have travelled before "9/11" can compare the before and after. Our world as we know it has once again changed forever; nothing will ever be the same again after the novel coronavirus pandemic. We now live in a dispensation characterized by social and physical distancing. Staying at home is driving many folks up the proverbial wall. Many people are on edge given the directives and in some instances mandatory commands for us to remain at home for the collective good of the wider society and for ourselves. It is a most challenging time for so many folks to be in quarantine and away from family and friends. The impact of the coronavirus is also negatively impacting the economics of families, countries and individuals. In some instances hard working individuals have had to file for unemployment claims while some have resorted to food banks in order to feed their families. Governments across the world have put in place economic stimulus packages in order to soften the economic devastation on the most vulnerable in the society. In Jamaica the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus stands at 58, while globally over 1.2 million people have been infected by this dangerous respiratory induced virus and more than 70,000 deaths have been recorded. The news is rather depressing and frightening; some might add the future looks bleak. However, there is always a cloud of silver lining and optimism around the corner. The current pandemic is troubling given there is no vaccine or treatment. This daunting reality has driven many into a state of depression. To make matter worse there are a number of conspiracy theories being circulated. These videos only serve to add to the confusion and stress levels of the population. It is important that we safeguard our mental and physical health during this period of uncertainty and stress. It is critical that we find outlets to be engaged in during this time of # StayAtHome. For most of us watching the television is the beginning and the end of the day.
Remain Active At Home
As the world move towards a post-coronavirus era more of the labour force will likely work from home. It is important that we remain physically active. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued some guidelines regarding remaining healthy while at home. The #WHO recommends getting up often to stretch one’s muscles. The WHO suggests getting up often for at least three minutes; this include walking up and down the stairs, doing some stretching exercises, dancing to music for a few minutes. Additionally, there are quite a number of resources online which are content rich regarding exercises and tips concerning how to remain safe and active while bunkered down at home. While watching the television will provide us with critical information regarding the coronavirus we need to be mindful that this sedentary activity is not good for our state of physical health. We need to remain physically active. For apartment dwellers there are exercises which can be done in the confined space. One can do a few pushups on the floor. One can engage in dance right there in the apartment or our house. Those with a backyard can and should utilize the space outside. There is nothing to lose by going for a walk in the back of the yard, perhaps engage in some skipping jumping jacks or bend and touch your toes exercises. Maybe you are financially well off and as such you can a take a swim in your pool or perhaps go for a ride on your favourite horse on your ranch. The idea is get up and move around. In addition to engaging in physical activity we also need to pay attention to our mental state. How are you coping in these worrisome times of insecurity? There are a number of activities to help in this regards. There are cross words puzzles, there are words games, whether online or in the form of e-books. No activity is more satisfying and spiritually enriching than to read the Bible. Now is the time to get intimate with the Scriptures; fall in love again or get acquainted with your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Psalm 91 is highly recommended as we seek refuge in terrifying times when our minds and bodies are searching for answers. Reading on a whole is a wholesome fun activity to engage in especially at this time. Reading can be for information as much as for entertainment and fun. Reading aloud to your children will mirror within them a good habit. Contemporary gospel is rather soothing; music in general speaks to all of us; there are many genres to select from. This is probably a good a time to engage family members in order to create a stronger bond. We are mindful though that many individuals have no immediate family and are alone. It is our duty to check up our family and friends. We can FaceTime, we can WhatsApp or just make a call just to say hello, how are you? Perhaps those who are younger can offer to get the senior citizens groceries or fill their prescriptions. The power of social media is pretty much on display in such a time like this. Many are staying connected through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter just to name a few. I can hear someone asking about video games; yes “Pop”, if the playing of video games is your thing then go right ahead. Interestingly, we can learn a lot from playing certain video games. This activity also assists with the development of cognitive skills. Remaining safe at home is multi-faceted and requires some amount of planning. It is strongly recommended that we limit going on the road unless its life and death. As a result meal preparation is one of those activities which one should engage in. Meal preparation can be a fun activity for the entire family. Since schools are out and parents are #homeschooling their children, this is a time for parents to get their children involved in creative, social and fun ways to prepare meals. Young children will be excited if parents allow them to participate in making sandwiches or drinks for the family. Older children, such as teenagers can help with preparing the dinner with supervision from parents. There are those who are into gardening; this activity helps both with mental and physical endurance.
POST COVID19 WORLD
This time of soul searching does not have to be dull and boring. There are various online recipes which the more adventurous among us can try. Now that we are all at home we need to find ways and means of escaping boredom. The news is depressing and frightening. Try to avoid watching the news as the last activity before retiring to bed since this might affect your sleep. We must and we will overcome this pandemic. The coronavirus is reminding us that relationships are important and this will be useful with regards to how we move ahead. The virus has reinforced the concept that the world is indeed a village. We are witnessing so much generosity especially geared towards those on the frontline fighting to curb the spread of this deadly virus. When humanity is faced with great obstacles the best of us emerge to help our fellow brothers and sisters cope. We are seeing corporation between countries which normally do not get along. The WHO has reported that every country and every continent, except Antarctica have been impacted by COVID19. We must prepare ourselves to rebuild our communities and build our selves and families as we move post coronavirus. In the lyrics of Charles Jenkins, my God is awesome He can move mountains, keep me in the valley, hide me from the rain. My God is awesome; heals me when I am broken, strength where I have been weakened. Forever He will reign. Perhaps this is the reminder we all need. We serve a mighty God who can speak to COVID19 and the virus will be still. Do not lose courage my brothers and sisters in such a time like this. We are all into this together. This too shall pass. Blessings!
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
#BeActive #StayAtHome #COVID19 #homeschooling #socialdistancing #Jamaica
©
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