Original Image by Dimitri Karastelev on Unsplash
If you are reading this, chances are that you too are one of the lucky ones. Whether you are a volunteer in a local charity or whether you are just someone who cares about the less fortunate in our highly unequal societies, times like these are ripe with strife, injustice and suffering.
As you all know by now, all face-to-face activities are a thing of yesterday in these days of COVID19, the coronavirus. So how are we coping with social distancing? It has only been a couple of weeks for most of us. Maybe it doesn’t even feel that bad (yet). My family are far away and so are most of my friends. Tell me, what’s new there? Of course I miss the hugs and intimacy, the warmth of a loving embrace. It is odd to have to keep a distance from those we would like to hold close. However, I know that it is a necessity and that we all have a responsibility to flatten the curve of the pandemic.
And I am one of the lucky ones. I have a job, which I am not at risk of losing (I don’t think so at least), I have a steady income. On the side, I decided to pursue my dreams this year by becoming an entrepreneur and starting my own business.
Many have lost their jobs or are marred with uncertainty about their future. Many are struggling to keep going, to keep food on the table and their heads above the waterline. These are anxious times where normally functioning individuals start hoarding toilet paper and acting crazy. Tempers are short as many find themselves confined for unnatural amounts of time between the same four walls.
What of those who are marginalised?
And what of the people in our societies who are marginalised? What of those who are trying to get their lives back on track? Those who have or continue to struggle with addiction, with depression or other mental health issues? What about the abused, the poor, the homeless or the sex workers? There are so many people out there whom we never hear about in the news and who for sure will not get more attention now, when times are hard even for the wealthy and powerful.
As all activities were closed down a few weeks ago, I was informed by the Red Cross in Bergen that certain emergency tasks would be carried out and we were informed that we could get involved when the time came.
In normal times, I lead the climbing group at the Red Cross in Bergen. An increasingly large group of volunteers and participants meet up on a Monday evening and go to a climbing hall. We have built a strong community together, where everyone is welcome. Lots of hugs, jokes and laughs are shared. We share a passion for climbing and hail each other on, exchange tips, give tuition, and have a lot of fun in the process. I know that I feel tons happier afterwards, every time, however late I come home. I knew that I was going to miss that feeling that I get of belonging, and the highs of a sport which I love.
The programme is called “Døråpner” which literally means “Door opener” in Norwegian. It is designed to help people, through sports and social activities, to build a new life, make new contacts and friends, in one of many steps towards living a healthy and happy life, free of drugs and criminality. It is designed to help people whom our society is quick to marginalise start over.
But what now? Where can people go to start over when public health services and charities shut down? The less favoured, those living on little means, those whose situations are already precarious, those whose health is fragile, whose good routines are relatively new and who maybe do not have that many good people around. What of them in these corona times?
There is a real risk that some of them fall back into the dark places that they have worked so hard to escape from. The lure of comfort is strong in times like these. Ask yourself where you find yours? I repeat it. We are the lucky ones.
You are indeed fortunate if the worst you can come up with is a naughty cigarette, a glass or two of your favourite Spanish red wine or a pint of your local beer, a glass of Whisky, straight, no ice. Still, consider not indulging all too frequently as bad habits take a hold fast.
What can we do?
The world around you has completely changed, your life has been turned on its head in just the space of a week or two. Needless to say this is affecting everyone, the ill, the healthy, the young, the old, the couples, families and singles out there. We are all in this together.
There is much uncertainty around what you can, cannot, should or should not do. How long will this last? When can you see friends and family again? How will you get a job and make ends meet when thousands of people across the country are suddenly losing theirs? How can you dream of helping someone else when you are struggling to take care of yourself?
More than ever, this is a time to look around, to see the big picture. Care for those out there who are less fortunate than you are. Maybe an elderly or unwell neighbour needs a hand getting the groceries delivered, maybe a local charity needs people with cars or vans, or chat lines need volunteers. Ask yourself what you can do to help others. If not now, when?
I would love to hear your thoughts so please do comment below. If you would like to share your experience or ideas with me, contact me directly on LinkedIn or here.
