The word COVID-19, that is repeated in most of the current discussions, has a clear signification. CO stands for corona, VI stands for virus, D stands for disease, and 19 for 2019 the year that it was first identified. According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses are a range of viruses that cause illnesses extending from the basic cold to especially severe diseases. These viruses were initially transmitted from animals to people.
The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the COVID-19, the disease it causes and how it spreads. There is no specific vaccine or treatment for the virus. Health professionals and scientists around the globe are trying to develop a vaccine against the virus. Meanwhile, a growing number of countries have introduced a series of sweeping measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus, including national lockdowns, sports events canceling, closing of schools and bans on gatherings. Some countries even issued mandatory work-from-home decrees. Also, international airlines have canceled commercial flights all over the world.
According to the Business Insider magazine, more than a third of the world’s population has been under lockdown in the global fight against coronavirus, with early signs of success. In India, police officers even use force to make the citizen respect the lockdown. Wuhan, China, where the virus first appeared, has been locked down for more than six weeks. Since it is a worldwide pandemic, countries learn from others in order to slow down and eradicate the virus nationwide. South Korea, for instance, has defeated the COVID-19 by strengthening the lockdown measures and maximizing the quick test for the population. Staying at home or working from home might be good news for some people in order to take a rest, but it is a burden for others.
Being confined with the whole family, children screaming all day and working from a place with limited resources, is a serious challenge. While we face this type of hardship, we need to identify any problems that might arise. The virus catches our lives in very specific ways.
Before we go out to the supermarket, we think about what we need. And it is the same with other things during the confinement. Look within yourself, think about your needs as a mom or a dad or a child and think about what your children’s or parents’ needs are. Try to look at the quality time you are having. Do you spend it on pursuing things in your own, as every day, or do you use this time to know more what kind of TV channels are your children interested in? If you are a parent, go online and look for appropriate games for your children or your family. If you are among the children, try to find unusual things that might please your parents.
The situation demands us to develop new skills as a family member.
A way to survive lockdown with your family is, to be honest with yourself. Admit that you have to learn some or many things to improve what is going on inside the house. For example, if you used to go out to lunch with your colleagues, this lockdown time should be an opportunity for you to try and learn how to cook lunch. You can also take skills from your working life and bring them home. If you are ease at managing a business, start organizing a meeting with your family. In case of conflicts with the family members, the important thing is to be focused instead of attacking or criticizing. Many families are discovering the real negative faces of the family members during this lockdown. That is why managing conflict is crucial during this time. Together with your children or parents, try to look not only at what each one expects or wants during this period, but what fears they have and talk about them. There are fears of not having enough money, being cut off from friends, gaining weight. It is an occasion to build trust in the family. And when communication is well established, you will get less anxiety about the situation. You will become more supportive and bold with your family.
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