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Covid-19: A pandemic of kindness? Credits: Social Media
By Poppy Treadaway

Covid-19: A pandemic of kindness?

By Poppy Treadaway

I recently read an article in Grazia by Polly Vernon, titled I Had No Idea How Good People Were, Did You? and it got me thinking about how much life has changed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent lock-down.

It would be fair to say that when lock-down first loomed over the nations head, a sense of kindness was nowhere to be seen. Amongst the stockpiling of toilet rolls and baking goods and the arguments over who should have the last baby formula, supermarket brands resorted to limiting our purchases, scolding us like naughty toddlers who couldnt be trusted.

While the level of threat from the coronavirus outbreak remained low in the UK, anxiety was rising all over the country, watching Spain and Italy spiral out of control with growing daily death tolls. The sense of panic was only amplified with photos of bare supermarket shelves and elderly people looking hopelessly at the overflowing trolleys of other shoppers, which were circulating on social media. Survival mode was activated, and panic-buying was no longer a Brexit-myth, but a harsh reality. We became a nation of selfish primates, protecting our cubs with five bags of penne pasta and enough supplies for three loaves of banana bread.

But looking back, this seems like a lifetime ago. While this is hardly surprising given that time during lock-down seems to move at a speed of its own, we really have come a long way. Hundreds of initiatives have been established to provide elderly people living alone with companionship, just this morning I signed up to Adopt a Grandparent. More than one million people have signed up to be an NHS volunteer and independent businesses have been more innovative than ever; offering online pub quizzes, delivery services, virtual concerts and more. The nation came together at a time of widespread panic and division.

A picture shows empty shelves in the tissue paper aisle in a supermarket in London on March 4, 2020. - Large UK retailers are suffering supply disruptions because of the conoravirus that are hitting sales, according to a survey Wednesday that revealed also the extent of stockpiling by consumers. 39 percent of UK households are worried about product shortages, leading to ten percent of consumers stockpiling, the findings showed. (Photo by Justin TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
A picture shows empty shelves in the tissue paper aisle in a supermarket in London on March 4, 2020. – Large UK retailers are suffering supply disruptions because of the conoravirus that are hitting sales, according to a survey Wednesday that revealed also the extent of stockpiling by consumers. 39 percent of UK households are worried about product shortages, leading to ten percent of consumers stockpiling, the findings showed. (Photo by Justin TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

And its not just the initiatives which highlight our kindness as a nation. Beyond Captain Tom, on an individual level, too, we are kinder. People smile at you before they cross the road to avoid catching any unknown diseases you may be carrying, just to show you that its not personal. Crossing the road demonstrates our compassion, it shows that we care for one another.

Instead of tutting and rolling our eyes, we make small talk in the 45-minute-long queue for our weekly shop. How are you? is asked with a sense of genuine interest and care, rather than as a passing comment or opening to a text about ourselves. When leaving a shop, we thank our shop workers and mean it. Neighbours have come together on a Thursday to celebrate the NHS – a weekly acknowledgement of the nations newly found togetherness. The thank-yous are more earnest than they ever have been, and weve been granted an opportunity to practise kindness and compassion on a daily basis.

Whilst lock-down has lasted what feels like a lifetime in itself, there is light at the end of the tunnel. These small acts of kindness have shown us the best sides of humanity, our ability to empathise with strangers, demonstrate care and most importantly, love. It may have been tough, it has most certainly been boring and the thought of another home workout or loaf of banana bread might be enough to put you off exercise and baking for life, but it is the kindness we must treasure. We must never forget the faces and the smiles which brought our country together and united us in this very unique crisis.

British World War II veteran Captain Tom Moore, 99, poses doing a lap of his garden in the village of Marston Moretaine, 50 miles north of London, on April 16, 2020. - A 99-year-old British World War II veteran Captain Tom Moore on April 16 completed 100 laps of his garden in a fundraising challenge for healthcare staff that has "captured the heart of the nation", raising more than £13 million ($16.2 million, 14.9 million euros). "Incredible and now words fail me," Captain Moore said, after finishing the laps of his 25-metre (82-foot) garden with his walking frame. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
British World War II veteran Captain Tom Moore, 99, poses doing a lap of his garden in the village of Marston Moretaine, 50 miles north of London, on April 16, 2020. – A 99-year-old British World War II veteran Captain Tom Moore on April 16 completed 100 laps of his garden in a fundraising challenge for healthcare staff that has “captured the heart of the nation”, raising more than �13 million ($16.2 million, 14.9 million euros). “Incredible and now words fail me,” Captain Moore said, after finishing the laps of his 25-metre (82-foot) garden with his walking frame. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Interestingly, as I was writing this piece, I asked my Instagram followers via a poll, if they thought we were better or worse citizens as a result of the covid-19 pandemic. I was surprised by the results, with 59% thinking we are better and the remaining 41% believing we are worse, leaving it relatively close. I was certain that more people would think we are better, but perhaps its just me. Before lock-down, the thought of making small talk in supermarket queues and having to wait 20 minutes to get into the bank would have filled me with dread, but there has been an overwhelming sense of gratitude and togetherness which the nation has never had to face before.

A pandemic is a situation so unique that it is certain to bring out the best and worst sides of humanity. We have seen the worst, there is no denying that. There have been times which have made us question our humanity, but what we will always remember is how we came together. The chances are that we may never face a pandemic like this again, and whilst we wish to keep covid-19 much further than two metres away from us in future, perhaps we have kick-started a very different type of pandemic: a pandemic of kindness.