The great divide

There is perhaps much to be surprised about right now. The speed at which the world is changing before our eyes, the uncertainty that creates, the momentum this virus has and all that means for the vulnerable and the poor, heroic health service. 

But perhaps nothing has been more surprising to me than witnessing two very different types of human behaviour in response. 

My heart has been lifted and filled to bursting with the acts of true kindness and community spirit that this situation has inspired.

• The street WhatsApp that means no-one feels cut off or isolated and can get hold of whatever they might need from the safety of home.

• The mum who offered her business post account as a way to get provisions to the father of another mum who is struggling on his own in London.

• The group set up to match help with need all over the town and surrounding villages.

• The two women who have gifted coaching sessions to friends

• The local businesses who are adapting and working so hard to supply what everyone needs and safely.

• The friend who put extra work my way to help with the bills

• The friend who delivered gifts to my doorstep this morning to let me know we may be distant socially but not in any other way.

• The virtual coffee with friends to chat and support each others mental health.

• The initiative taken by a mum to offer our support to NHS workers via the hospital so we can drop off provisions for them meaning they don’t have to worry about food after an impossibly hard shift.

• The incredible way that school has kept our children both safe and grounded - fuelling amazing discussions and keeping fear and panic at bay.

Consideration, care and a sense that we are all important, that this is about the greater good and if we stick together (not literally….that is NOT allowed right now) that we will all get this through this together. A bit battered and bruised but here none the less. 

And yet this morning I sat and cried after watching a BBC video of a nurse left devastated after a punishing shift ended and she was unable to get any basic provisions to feed herself.

For every person who has opened their hearts to others it seems there is one who has done the opposite. Who has closed their heart, locking inside any generosity or community spirit they may have once had. Who has made this about them and not about us as a society.

Stock-piling basics, ignoring social distancing guidelines, profiteering, thinking they have it worse than anyone else, complaining about the decisions being made at the top. Wholly missing the point that we need each other to survive this and then thrive again. 

It seems that when under threat, when stripped bare of normality, routine and comfort we show our true colours. So I’m sticking with my tribe, the kind-hearted, generous, compassionate, creative rainbows in all their technicolour glory. And leaving those in behavioural darkness to hopefully realise the error of their ways, before it is too late.