What I've Learned From the COVID-19 Pandemic Thus Far

It was less than two days ago, around one in the morning, that we decided that we needed to get back on home soil as soon as humanly possible.

We booked a flight for 6:50 that morning, set our alarm for a few hours from that moment, and tried to get a little sleep, or at least close our eyes before the potentially arduous journey.

I remember booking that flight and just thinking,“How did we get to this moment?”

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Just a week prior we were in Mexico City, very aware of the rapid spread of Corona Virus, but perhaps not fully grasping the stranglehold it would take in places like Italy and the like.

In retrospect, we were still basking unintentionally in the seductive pool of naivety.

Insinuations and polite recommendations from governments quickly became panicked pronouncements - all of them tinged with uncertainty, yet veiled in undeniable worry.

All at once, from all sides, the message was clear.

Get home. Now.

And so we put on our masks, walked out the door, and headed back to Toronto with the understanding that we would need to self-isolate when we returned, but at least it was home.

Through all this, we were staying at our dear friend Megan’s place in Puerto Vallarta. I would be absolutely remiss not to mention what an incredible host she was through this. She was a fountain of stability and strength when we needed it.

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Now, I’ve seen a ton of content written by travel bloggers about the Coronavirus, and some of it has been less than tasteful, while others have done a remarkable job. For some, it has been a clear traffic ploy, while for others it has been a way to connect with their audience, and to express something in a difficult time.

This might sound somewhat highfalutin, but the reason I’m writing this is simple for me - writing is the only way I know how to make sense of this world.

That’s why I wrote an article on Istanbul, during the height of the crisis there, and just after witnessing a bombing. An article that I’m humbled won me the 2019 Traverse Award for Best Opinion Piece.

Now, I’m not a scientist or a doctor, and I’m not writing anything that can be categorized as “right” or “wrong.”

I don’t care if a million people read this, or five do, but if what I’m writing here resonates with even one person, I will call this a victory.

I want to write now about what I’ve learned so far during this crisis, with the idea that what I have understood to this present moment may help others in future moments.

At the very least, I know it will provide a touch of clarity for me in a time where it feels like the fog of confusion is rolling in, and getting thicker by the moment.

This Is the Time for Radical Empathy

I think, rather accidentally, I summed up what I mean by “radical empathy” in a tweet that I wrote while still in Puerto Vallarta just a handful of days ago.

It’s the fourth and fifth sentence there that captures it. Unless we move from “I” to “we,” we will not be able to get through this, and I believe that with my whole heart.

How we address the COVID crisis right now, on a human level, will forever be in the history books. We need to decide right now that the radical shift that we’re experiencing, albeit involuntarily, must birth a new mindset.

Buy gift cards online for the small businesses in your community that are suffering, hop on a video chat with friends who are going through particularly tough times, petition your government for financial relief or a universal basic income, or just show support for a person or establishment on social media who may need your help.

I can’t ever remember a moment where it was more clear that we’re all so intimately connected around the globe. We are all fighting the same fight right now. All countries, together.

That’s powerful.

So, I can focus on the fact that my travel websites are floundering (both this site and Ultimate Ontario), and I could focus on the fact that all my campaigns have been put on hold, and that I may not know where my next dollar is coming from.

Or, I could focus on the fact that deep in my being I know that somehow this is bigger than “me.” I can understand that my suffering and struggle is but a drop in a vast ocean of suffering and struggle right now, and we must all weather the waves as one.

It doesn’t have to be financial, but think of how you can help others right now. You’d be surprised at how far a caring message will carry.

And I don’t have a manual for how to do this, but I’m putting it out there on my channels that I’m here to help if I can, and maybe you can do the same - on any channel that makes sense for you.

This Too Shall Pass

During much of our lives, we throw hate on impermanence, wishing that we could somehow make life or particular moments last forever. Yet, in these moments, we can feel blessed that nothing is indeed forever, including this dreaded Coronavirus.

Sadly, I believe this will get worse before it gets better, but, eventually, it will end. I don’t know how far “eventually” is from now, but that end point exists, even if only in theory.

We must remember that.

For now, all most of us can do is stay home, and to socially isolate until things are under control again. If we all do everything we can to combat this, we will get through this, but it’s going to take a tremendous team effort in towns, cities, provinces, and countries around the world.

Make no mistake, this is unprecedented, but it will pass. That understanding, in and of itself, will do you better than hoarding 300 rolls of toilet paper ever could.

You Need to Carefully Choose the Information You’re Bringing Into Your Life

There are countless news sources right now that are banking on you reading every anxiety inducing article they can produce. Do yourself a favour, and choose wisely as to which ones you’ll follow.

Here is some of the material that has, in effect, helped me cut through the noise, or information that may be useful to you if you haven’t come across it.

As we all now know, the information that we consume can either empower us or cripple us, and as much as possible we want to ensure that the COVID-19 information that we get is going to arm us to make better decisions, and not make us feel helpless.

We’re All in This Together

This notion isn’t too dissimilar from what I was referring to with the concept of “radical empathy,” but I do think it’s worth rehashing.

Whatever you’re going through - somebody else is too, and they may be halfway across the world.

Focus on the positive stories that are coming out from around the world, and the bold resilience in the face of unparalleled uncertainty. Take, for example, the beauty of the quarantined Italians taking to their balconies to sing.

We can only read so much bad news. We need to make sure that we’re following social channels and people that are bringing some light back into our existence, and providing hope.

I’m not sure if it’s effective, but it’s something I’m trying to broadcast on Twitter, and I’d encourage you to do the same if you can. We need all the positivity we can get right now.

It’s Time to Get Creative

I’m on day two of self-isolation as we speak, and I know I will be for at least the next 12 days.

But let’s be realistic - this crisis will not be solved in 12 days, and so it’s likely I’ll be isolating in some sense for the foreseeable future.

Have parties on Skype, play games online, message people on Whatsapp, and call people you haven’t in a while.

Also, remember that you can take a deep breath and try out something new and different. I’m going to make a point during this time to continue to read through my grandfather’s war letters as I make strides towards turning his story (and really the love story between my grandparents) into a podcast.

The world has changed, what better chance to tackle what you’ve been putting off for so long?

My friend Kareem also just invited me to contribute to something he’s calling “Covid:eo,” where creators will contribute content to help people continue to learn and combat boredom during isolation. I’m going to read some travel stories there likely, as early as tomorrow.

I’ve also heard that Shakespeare wrote King Lear during his time in isolation during the the plague, and Newton truly found his genius similarly, so that’s encouraging, but I do feel that puts a lot of undo pressure on people to try to create something magnificent.

Just do your thing right now. Find your “why,” and connect with others online in ways that bring light into your life, with the goal of bringing light back into the wider community.

We Have a Chance to Get Back in Touch with Ourselves

Sometimes it feels as if we’re on a conveyor belt, grabbing the food and water we need to sustain ourselves along the way, and fitting in sleep and family time somehow as well.

This is a chance to get off the conveyor belt.

Now, obviously folks who have children will have a different reality than me right now, and, as a former elementary school educator, I want to respect just how full your hands are.

That being said, I still think there’s some opportunity to ground yourself.

We can use this moment to take up meditation again, discover the power of home workouts, look your partner in the eyes over dinner, and watch the 341 movies that you’ve had on your list since forever. We can stay up late reading, finally be the person who takes a long, unapologetic shower, or start that podcast we’ve always wanted to. We can launch a website, or a side-hustle, or just try something new.

Our realities have been shaken for the moment, so when you put it back together, why not add in a piece to the puzzle that you’ve always wanted to?

Day by Day, Hour by Hour

I don’t have answers, just like you, but I have perspectives, and I can only hope that some of what I’ve shared has been useful to you in some way.

All of this is so bizarre, but my sanctuary is the written world. It sounds absurd, but when I first started writing this until now, I could swear that someone has unchained a 15 pound weight from around my neck. For better or worse, in times of crisis and confusion, it’s where I turn.

I don’t know what is next. I wish I did, but I don’t.

What I do know, though, is that I feel I have a tremendous opportunity to break the chains of routine and give a shit like I never have before. What if we all took that approach? What if, for once, we all united and gave a shit.

Whether I read this in a month and it holds true, I cannot say. Whether my optimism, albeit muted, seems absurd in the future, I couldn’t tell you.

But, for now, I hold on to the belief that we will stand by one another, and that will get through this. That we will emerge from the ashes with lessons that we understand in the depth of our being.

That although hope is in short supply, we will never let it fade away.

Reflections & AdviceChristopher James MitchellCoronavirus, Covid-19