A week ago, the schools shut down in a bid to stem the spread of the coronavirus and life as we parents knew it, stopped (or radically changed). I’ve spent a week reading news stories, following it on Twitter and worrying. About my parents, about my children, about pretty much everyone I know, about hospital staff, about the economy, about my little business, about money.

As I packed away the St. Patrick’s decorations tonight, I wondered what would the world look like when we put them up again next year. I know there are still lots of people who will get sick and possibly more will, very sadly, die. But I also know that some good will come of this unprecedented event. I see it already, all around me.

I see it in the free resources businesses are sharing online to help parents keep the kids busy. I see it in the kindness of people towards each other, online and off. Offering help to neighbours, volunteering to help out with childminding, signing up to help the health service, supporting food deliveries to hospital staff. Small businesses being creative and generous, many offering free services. (And yes, there is some meanness too but I’m choosing to focus on the positive.) 

In my immediate area, we organised a driveway St. Patrick’s Day parade so the kids could dress up and wave their flags, from their own driveways. Neighbours I’ve never met or spoken to are connecting on What’s App - doing book and toy swaps, getting to know each other and organising various initiatives to keep us all sane in the weeks ahead.

One of the amazing things about this virus is that it knows no borders or race. It doesn’t care how much you have in your bank account or how little. If you’re a famous movie star or clean toilets for a living. It’s affecting everyone. Not only has it brought my neighbours together, it has brought the world together. And when all this is done and dusted, and we emerge from our self isolation, like hibernating bears, may the world be a slightly better place than it was before. 

Be safe and be well.