Encourage Positivity During COVID-19

When I first received news that my grandmother, aunt, and father contracted the coronavirus, the first thing that came to my mind was death. Granted the fact that with almost any illness, one may have to come to terms that complications can arise and one may not be able to ward off the disease. However, this experience was different. I was crying non-stop and immediately thinking the worst, wondering if the last time I saw my father was the last time I was ever going to see him.

Whenever I scroll through social media or watch the news, I receive new statistics and updates regarding COVID-19. I learn new statistics about the growing amount of confirmed cases, the number of deaths nationwide and statewide, the amount of people filing for unemployment, the dwindling amount of resources such as masks and gloves, and the list goes on and on. It was rare that I encountered information that provided a sense of hope or light at the end of the tunnel.

The one question that has now stuck in my mind is: Why aren’t more people sharing and discussing recovery stories? This question ponders in my mind as I came to the realization that when I first learned of my family members’ diagnosis, I felt nothing but panic. I had no feelings or thoughts of optimism.

According to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins, there have been 200,000+ cases of individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 worldwide and 55,000+ deaths. There are 200,000 and more stories of people who contracted the virus and were able to overcome it. More people are recovering from the disease than they are dying from it. There should be more coverage on this overwhelming statistic that can bring so many people who are being affected by COVID-19, whether directly or indirectly, some peace of mind.

I think it is worth sharing more statistics and information that promote positivity during this crisis, no matter how big or small it may be. I don’t think any comfort will be found if everyone is in a mutual state of panic. It should also be noted that panic and caution are not synonymous terms. Everyone should be taking the necessary cautious measures to ensure that themselves and their loved ones are safe during these unprecedented times, however that doesn’t mean we have to be panicked in order to do that.

We don’t have to fear the virus to prevail, therefore I strongly encourage those who have positive stories or experiences in the midst of the crisis to please share. I believe that it is not only the responsibility of mass media to shift the narrative to a more positive one. All of us have the ability to shed some light into the dark, whether it’s engaging in a good deed or sharing a recovering story, every act can make a difference.

We are all enduring this global pandemic together and at the very minimum we should at least be able to keep in mind that this too, shall pass.