Lessons From The COVID-19 Pandemic
By Amirali Banani
COVID-19 has been a struggle for all of us. The pandemic has not only caused physical pain in those who have been infected with the virus, but it has also been a mental burden that continues to become more agonizing as case counts rise, restrictions increase, and as we long more and more to see those whom we love. Despite the obvious negative experiences of COVID-19, the pandemic has helped us learn a plethora of new things and has given rise to new innovations and changes in perspectives of life. From better hygiene to online learning, the COVID-19 Pandemic has truly shaped a new lifestyle for us all.
While the pandemic has impeded progress in many industries, it has led to innovations that could revolutionize the way we live and allow us to be better prepared for the next global pandemic. One such innovation is the breakthrough mRNA Vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Compared to traditional vaccines, mRNA vaccines can generate stronger immunity as they stimulate the immune system to produce both antibodies and immune system killer cells – a double strike at the virus. This method of using the mRNA of the virus instead of introducing spike proteins into a patient’s body can also be applied in the creation of other vaccines to fight other viruses with higher efficacy. COVID-19 has certainly demonstrated that with teamwork in the scientific community, we can achieve anything. Additionally, the pandemic has led to the development of more efficient ventilators which can aid patients suffering from pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases better than ever before and substantially improved video conferencing which has enabled people across the world to connect in higher numbers with better quality, allowing students to continue learning, innovators to continue innovating, and families to continue seeing their loved ones virtually.
In addition to the numerous innovations that COVID-19 has led to, the pandemic has also taught us many important life lessons that we must all take some time to appreciate. Among the many lessons it has taught us however, one stands out the most: you never truly understand the value of something until you don’t have it. Before the pandemic, spending time with family and friends was a regular daily practice that we would do without much appreciation. Ever since the pandemic separated us from our loved ones, however, we only began to comprehend this significant lesson in its entirety. COVID-19 has taught us to enjoy and appreciate life while we can and to spend as much time as possible with those whom we love because spending quality time with family helps in coping with challenges, instills a feeling of security, fills one with confidence, and is not unlimited.
Furthermore, COVID-19 has conveyed an essential message that we should not take for granted: we need each other. Loneliness harms our health much more than we previously thought, and it’s only during the pandemic that many people came to realize this reality. We humans have always lived in groups from the beginning of our existence. We are collaborative beings who care for and require the help of one another to live and thrive. The pandemic has opened our eyes to the tragic consequences of isolation in a way that was incomprehensible before and has thus taught us to value each other more than anything else in the world.
Taking all things into consideration, when we look back at this pandemic in the future, we can see some significant positive outcomes that show the ingenuity of the human race, our altered but ultimately improved lifestyles, and most importantly, the essentiality of humans for each other. Of course, the COVID-19 Pandemic has overall been a negative experience for all of us, but the more important thing is to learn from its positives. When this pandemic officially ends, we can hopefully come back as stronger and more aware people than before with altered perspectives of life and greater appreciation for each other.
