How are we behaving in isolation

Monday 13 April 2020 6.12am

In the spirit of Charles Dickens:

 

It is the best of times

It is the worst of times

 

We hear daily of extraordinary human endeavours as we go about addressing Covid 19 and limiting its damage.

 

We here of health care professionals, cleaners, delivery drivers and warehouse personnel performing outstanding feats to support the community at large.

 

We hear of acts of kindness and compassion by supermarket employees, assisting the aged and incapacitated, the mothers with children and providing special hours to support essential service workers.

 

In times of stress and challenge, the best in people inevitably prevails.

 

It is the best of times.

 

We also hear of medical professionals being abused physically and verbally as demands are made to prioritise their case or the case of one of their family ahead of those already in the queue or those with more severe or desperate needs.

 

We hear and see reports of supermarket staff being assaulted by customers not wanting to line up or not being able to obtain the goods they want at the moment they want it.

 

It is the worst of times.

 

We see what certainly appears to be the vast majority adhere to the isolation at home request, but then large groups of people accumulate at the parkland at Nudgee Beach on Good Friday afternoon, all haven arrived by car.

 

This tendency to divide in to the extremes of the spectrum is being reflected in how we are responding to the issues, stresses and challenges Covid 19 presents. While most are overtly kind, appreciative and considerate, others insist on being angry or entitled.

 

While staying safe, lets all commit to being patient with, supportive and appreciative of and helpful towards those tasked with providing the essential services.

 

It can be the best of times, always.

 

Moving on to Podcasts.

 

What do Carrie Bradshaw’s Laptop, Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers, The Bee Gees Silver Suits and 30 of the original Muppets have in common?

 

They are all “Lost at The Smithsonian”. Well, not lost exactly but currently not on display.

 

However, their stories and many more are told In the Lost at the Smithsonian Podcast presented by comedian and pop culture fanatic Aasif Mandvi. I suggest you start from season one and enjoy interesting looks at pop culture history including interviews with those who were there, or have studied the subject somewhat obsessively.

As for books, I am going to read The Orsmen by Scott Patterson. ThIs is a true story and is billed as “The remarkable story of the men who rowed from the Great War to peace.

I confess to having made little progress on last weeks Podcast but will do so this week.

And one final thought:

“Imagine the look on the face of the first person who heard a parrot speak”

Stay safe, take care and be kind.

 

Colin Morley