COVID you say? I am off to South Korea then

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Abstract

Christmas is drawing closer. Then again, it is COVID time and everything is possible.Casually she answers “I am moving to South Korea”.Now, not sure whether it was the idea of faraway lands; the thought of a long trip sat on a plane, maybe next to someone who is asymptomatic, or the side effects of daily news telling me of every way a person can catch COVID, but her answer left me pleasantly surprised.It doesn’t matter where we turn our eyes and ears these days, COVID is upon us and will be around for a while until a solution is found.Economies have been in a form of lockdown or another and will be so on and off for months.Travelling has reduced significantly.Businesses have been trading low or closing. The unemployment rate is increasing and there are concerns it will increase further as economic activity struggles to recover.People are spending more time indoor than outdoor for fear of catching the virus, being caught off guard by an ever-changing mix of rules, or simply for lack of entertainment options. And with winter coming, the prospect is less than rosy.That alone i

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s enough information to tip our brain over the edge. It gets to you in the end.I am not saying the virus doesn’t exist, or that it is not a serious threat to our physical and mental health; our economy; and our society. It is a major event that will be taught in history classes, along with WW1, WW2, and the various crises, depressions, and so on. And I would be surprised if it weren’t.I am also not suggesting that now everyone should hop on a plane and go wherever with no concerns, even though doing so will probably help those industries that have so far suffered the most.That said……The world hasn’t “stopped”, as perhaps we may be led to or lead ourselves to believe when turning our TVs or logging onto our social media. It is still moving. People are still “doing stuff”. They are still chasing their dreams, executing on their plans, or making new ones. And that is beautiful.So when I see one of my fellow human beings moving across the world for one reason or another during Covid, I don’t just see a start to a trip. I see hope. Hope that we can keep calm. We can keep cool. And we can carry on with our ambitions.</article></body>

COVID you say? I am off to South Korea then

I was headed to London central by tube (yes, I took public transport and yes, I did my very best to avoid Jack COVID the Ripper), when I spotted a human being trying to make her way up the stairs at a station with her huge suitcase.

In that moment my mind reminded me that years ago I was in the same situation, dragging (3) heavy suitcases from one part of London to another. Fun.

Snapping back to reality, I decided to stop and offered to help her with the task (yes, doing my good deed for the day). She thought 0.5 seconds before accepting my offer.

Curious as I am, I asked whether she was relocating to London. I am aware most Universities are running courses online, so I would find it surprising a student would move to London at this time. Especially as Christmas is drawing closer. Then again, it is COVID time and everything is possible.

Casually she answers “I am moving to South Korea”.

Now, not sure whether it was the idea of faraway lands; the thought of a long trip sat on a plane, maybe next to someone who is asymptomatic, or the side effects of daily news telling me of every way a person can catch COVID, but her answer left me pleasantly surprised.

It doesn’t matter where we turn our eyes and ears these days, COVID is upon us and will be around for a while until a solution is found.

Economies have been in a form of lockdown or another and will be so on and off for months.

Travelling has reduced significantly.

Businesses have been trading low or closing. The unemployment rate is increasing and there are concerns it will increase further as economic activity struggles to recover.

People are spending more time indoor than outdoor for fear of catching the virus, being caught off guard by an ever-changing mix of rules, or simply for lack of entertainment options. And with winter coming, the prospect is less than rosy.

That alone is enough information to tip our brain over the edge. It gets to you in the end.

I am not saying the virus doesn’t exist, or that it is not a serious threat to our physical and mental health; our economy; and our society. It is a major event that will be taught in history classes, along with WW1, WW2, and the various crises, depressions, and so on. And I would be surprised if it weren’t.

I am also not suggesting that now everyone should hop on a plane and go wherever with no concerns, even though doing so will probably help those industries that have so far suffered the most.

That said…

…The world hasn’t “stopped”, as perhaps we may be led to or lead ourselves to believe when turning our TVs or logging onto our social media. It is still moving. People are still “doing stuff”. They are still chasing their dreams, executing on their plans, or making new ones. And that is beautiful.

So when I see one of my fellow human beings moving across the world for one reason or another during Covid, I don’t just see a start to a trip. I see hope. Hope that we can keep calm. We can keep cool. And we can carry on with our ambitions.