Hope In The Time of Covid

Gathering, sharing and celebrating is part of being human.

Covid-19 attacks what it means to be human. Our instinct to gather and share, an instinct that has made us so adaptable and successful and in so many environments, is exploited by this virus. Our knee jerk reaction across the world has been isolation. A very human reaction to an unknown danger.

But humans are not meant to be isolated. A friend just told me how each day, every evening, everyone in her street gathers at their windows to clap and cheer each other. I really like this; the community rewarding and celebrating each other for the sacrifices they are making. A sacrifice to keep people, they don’t even know, safe and healthy. It gives me hope.

Why?

Loss makes us hold dearer those experiences taken for granted and the those which we might still enjoy. Who, before Covid-19, daily acknowledged even a tenth of the people living on their street? Now entire streets are clapping each other, probably looking forward to the day they are told they can safely go out and hug each other, too.

Life as a conservationist trying to protect our environment is lonely, isolating and full of loss. Every day sacrifices are offered, dangers faced, species and habitats are lost. Mostly without applause for the effort.

Fighting bush fires is one of many dangers faced by rangers and conservationists.

Just last week one of our rangers was shot in the leg chasing armed poachers - dangers faced. Working abroad in this remote reserve, I was not able to be with my family when my father went into hospital - sacrifices offered. Many others working to protect environments around the world face much greater sacrifices and dangers. In my experience, I see that all those working to protect environments understand that the health of nature is inextricably linked with the health of their communities. Grazing for cattle, water and soil for crops, and even sometimes medicines are gathered by community effort from the richness of nature.

Habitat loss effects this nomad community directly - the same has happened to the global community with Covid 19.

Perhaps this all seems more immediately relevant to families living in closer proximity to nature. But isn’t this relevant to all? Don’t we all need clean air and water in our immediate environment? Don’t we all need healthy food? Doesn’t everyone flock to the park and green spaces during their permitted outings?

This all comes from the richness of nature which is being degraded faster than it can replenish. Does that mean that the richness of humanity is also being degraded? The initial impact of Covid-19 would suggest, yes.

And let’s not forget, like it or not, we are part of a global community. That interaction with nature, good or bad, has an equal reaction on us as humanity. Habitat degraded by thoughtless consumption choices in one place has a climate effect across the world. The poaching of wildlife in Africa and Asia has lead to the spread of Ebola and now Covid-19, throughout that global community. Out of sight is out of mind, until it isn’t.

A lack of humanity for nature and people led to this crisis of Covid-19. The medicine needed is to have more humanity, by acting in cooperation with Nature and with each other. So, I am hopeful, because the humanity demonstrated by a street of strangers clapping each other, encouraging each other’s sacrifice for the good of the wider community, is the first step in developing that medicine.