Healing in the Age of Coronavirus
Healing in the Age of Coronavirus
I feel like the Coronavirus (Covid-19) hit like a tonne of bricks. We heard about China, then we heard about Italy and cases started going up. At first, I was hearing, “it’s just a flu, more people die of X than this” and “it doesn’t concern you, you are young and healthy”. As the media continued and the story unfolded these words were still true, but a new truth emerged – it is a new virus, yeah of course the amount of people who have died are small – the first recorded case was on 31st December 2019. And yes, it is true, Covid-19, won’t kill me, but I can carry and pass that virus on to vulnerable members of the community, and the risk of Covid-19 to them is worst case scenario – death.
When the panic-buying happened I was sick in bed with a cold. When I emerged to go to the supermarket to buy flour to bake banana muffins with the bananas that had gone bad during my illness, I was shocked. I hadn’t been aware of what was going on. The flour isle was almost empty. At first I laughed, I thought who is going to be suddenly learning to bake bread, and why with the toilet paper? If there is a pandemic, shouldn’t we go see our loved ones? Shouldn’t we buy chocolate (the chocolate isle looked untouched)?
I went home to research what exactly was going on. I found this amazing Ted Talk by Alanna Shaikh explaining the origins of the Covid-19, its short history and what scientists advised we as a community should do. She said to wash our hands, not wear facemasks, and listen to the voices of scientists, the World Health Organisation and medical practitioners NOT POLITICIANS. Our world political leaders are the ones who choose what we do as a community in response to this, but they are not scientists and have other agendas, sadly. Donald Trump said on the 23rd March 2020 that some people will have to die so the economy can survive. He has stated that the economy and wealth, are more important than lives, which goes against both information from both the World Health Organisation and economists. Eight days earlier he said Covid-19 was “Fake News”.
I think the Coronavirus is showing us what is inequitable in the society we have created, in the harshest way. Alanna Shaikh notes that global warming/climate change is the reason these diseases are making their way to our population. She says that the solution is simple and “boring”: improving healthcare, building health systems all over the world and better education to prevent blind panic (toilet paper hoarding). “Equity is in our own self-interest”, she says. Equity means to be fair and impartial. The reality is, we do not live in a society that is fair and impartial. People have been losing their jobs, sources of income, people on low incomes are going to stores and unable to find groceries to meet their weekly needs due to the impact of. COvid-19. I like to see myself as at home out of respect for those who are vulnerable, rather than out of fear, even though the fear people have, is completely understandable, when we don’t have a reliable source of information.
In the day of technology and information that is anywhere and everywhere because of the internet who do you listen to? Not me, I’m an art therapist, you listen to the World Health Organisation. What you listen to me for is mental health help, even then, as a therapist I don’t give advice, I understand mental health concerns, but I listen, I help you to see what you are experiencing and enable you to work through trauma, challenges and problems. If listening to the news is too much, it is ok, during a pandemic, not to listen to the news. If you are seeking out news be aware of who it comes from – what are their credentials? Alanna Shaikh is upfront at the beginning of the Ted Talk about what hers are. That builds trust. We all have platforms to talk on in the egalitarian world of the internet, but right now, just listen to health experts and people who can point you in their direction.
What I’m personally getting from this pandemic is an opportunity to reflect on who we are when we aren’t busy, without capitalism, alone with our thoughts. I know right. Some people, such as those with chronic illness or disabilities have lived this life for a while, the rest of society are now having this experience, and it is a shock. It is a shock to not be defined by our jobs or how busy we are - no distractions. To be alone with those we live with, if you don’t live alone – partners, family and housemates can be confronting in itself. People may be in lockdown with abusers, which is really scary. Sometimes having work or school can be a protective factor for those in unsafe living environments. For those of us who have safety at home we may have the opportunity to face relationships and/or ourselves. I keep thinking of a subject I did in the last year of my Master of Art Therapy where every day we would make art for one to two hours after each lecture. We ended up making art for half the day, with no directives, we were just free to make any art we wanted with an open cupboard. It is one of the most fulfilling memories I have in recent times. It would be great if more of us could connect to what your open cupboard is. Is it gardening? Is it playing guitar? Is it cooking? What is nurturing, rewarding and brings you both calm and fun? I’m also hoping we learn to rest and just be, and find value in mindfulness over mindlessness. We so rarely are allowed to rest and do nothing, rest is radical, essential and nourishing. If you are able to find rest, let it be now, that is my aim.
Experts are saying social distancing measures may be in place for 6-18 months, so it is a great time to think about what you value outside of money and work. On the topic of money and work, this virus has us needing to face how we make money. Do we want to be working so hard? What impact does that have on relationships, physical and mental health or in other ways? In Australia a large number of people are now faced with applying for unemployment support and the reality of that system and how little money is given to us has really been exposed. $550 a fortnight plus other allowances isn’t a lot to survive on, so the politicians have temporarily raised it for six months. It made me dream of a Universal Basic Income. I would love to live in a society where every adult is given income from the government to give security and afford the basics of food, clothing, rent bills etc (some countries do this) and then you choose if you work so you can buy a fancy car or go on a holiday. Most people choose to work, but wouldn’t it be great to have some power over our pastime? Wouldn’t it be nice to take years off to care for your child and spend meaningful time with them? Wouldn’t it be nice to follow your passions, and not be trapped by finances? I’m an art therapist, and I’m an idealistic person, I’m not an economist or a politician, but if other places can do these things, I think we can adjust and do these things, the research shows it is entirely feasible. Making choices that support vulnerable people, marginalised people, the environment and health are choices that support everyone. When Zellanach Djab Mara, a First Nations person, spoke at the climate strike in Melbourne in 2019 he said we are fighting for everyone’s future, including those like Scott Morrison PM. It is a powerful statement about equity and equality, these values will help everyone, not just the 1%. I would love to have less work as an art therapist if it meant we had better lives overall and I wasn’t needed in the way I am now. As Alannah Shaikh said, “equity is in our own self-interest’.
Ted Talk: Coronavirus is our future | Alanna Shaikh | TEDxSMU
Donald Trump: White House: We’re Going to Have to Let Some People Die So the Stock Market Can Live
World Health Organisation page on COvid-19
Hand washing: Correct technique to wash your hands for proper disinfection
Written by Emma Noack
From Melbourne, Australia
@thehealingartstudio
THE HEALING ART STUDIO
