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What activities are we looking forward to most after Covid-19?

We are all being optimistic and are making the best of lockdown time, but as the days go by we realise we do miss going outside and have the urge to do our favourite things.

Some of us miss going for haircuts and beauty treatments or even time out to enjoy a live music concert; visiting friends and family is also an activity many of us are looking forward to.

We thought we’d share with you, feedback from social media pages what people are really looking forward to doing after Covid-19 lockdown.

Church
Although we can pray any time or anywhere, many of us want to attend church and pray in mosques again.  People explained that praying together brings joy.  They missed the partnership of being together in prayer.

Dining out
People are looking forward to take-away food. So many said they want to head straight to their favourite restaurant and feast on their desired food.

‘…chicken, sushi, steaks, ribs, seafood and pizza…’

The meals people are looking forward to include chicken, sushi, steaks, ribs, seafood and pizza. Some people added they would like to combine eating out with watching a movie.

Festivals and live music
So many events have been cancelled during lockdown; it’s no wonder that people are craving live music. Experiencing one’s favourite band live is high on the priority list of what people want to do as soon as possible.

‘…looking forward to tours…’

Some are considering booking tickets and looking forward to tours. We expect live shows and performances to be sold out, rapidly.

Nights out
Clubs and pubs will be pleased to hear that a night out is high on the list of post-Covid-19 activities.

‘…a night out is high on the list…’

This could be a date with friends, but for many, it means having a post-Covid-19 party.

Outdoors
Going to the beach and enjoying the experience is among the activities that we all crave, this includes reconnecting with nature. Quarantine is giving many nature lovers itchy feet to get to beaches, national parks, mountains and resorts.

‘…beaches, national parks, mountains and resorts…’

Party
The desire to party with friends came up many times; some people want to get together with friends and play games while eating their favourite foods, getting pizzas or grilling their own meat, having a movie night together or just exploring the town.

Picnics and excursions
A favourite desire among many people is to enjoy fine weather and great views while being active outdoors.  The humble picnic of salads, cold meats, yoghurts, fruits, crackers, breads, jams, cheeses, champagne and orange juice came up most as a pleasurable excursion for many.

‘…champagne and orange juice…’

Retail therapy
Shopping appealed to many, they expressed happiness at the thought of going to shopping centres, to try on and buy new outfits!

‘…try on and buy new outfits…’

This is good news for fashion stores who cater for the fashion-conscious consumer.

Social volunteering
Doing kind volunteering came out as an extreme need by many.  There is a ‘want to help’ yearning among most people.

‘…help others…’

We want to help others who are less fortunate.  People want to increase self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment in their communities.

Spoiling
We all love a little indulgence; after lockdown many people expressed the wish for some beauty therapy. This includes going to the barber, hair salon and beauty parlours to have manicures, pedicures and eyebrow shaping done. If you are in the beauty business, we think you are in for a boom in business once quarantine is over.

‘…manicures, pedicures and eyebrow shaping…’

Sporting events
Watching or playing sports is top of the list for some people. With loyal fan bases, most sports will undoubtedly experience a bounce back. What will be interesting to note is the impact of Covid-19 on sports participation. Time will tell if the quarantine has motivated more people to take up a sport.

‘…sports will undoubtedly experience a bounce back…’

Travel
After only a week, people started to think about their next holiday. Many expressed the desire to catch a plane somewhere with no precise destination in mind.

‘…catch a plane somewhere…’

Some people are already booking trips, giving them something to look forward to.  It may be too soon to say but we think airlines can expect a substantial bounce back as the desire for travel heightens.

Visit elderly parents and relatives
Most of us have fond memories of family and growing up; the desire to be with elderly parents and relatives is a wish many expressed.  There is a longing to share unconditional love and support.

‘…share unconditional love…’

We want to make time to catch up on unique connections; share these feelings with your elderly family, they need reassurance that we appreciate them and are always glad to help wherever possible.

Visit the beach
To travel is something we all long to do but most people said a visit to the beach was top of their list.  They long for the fresh, cool and relaxed time on soft sandy beaches.

‘…collect shells and build sand castles…’

They want to play on the beach, collect shells, build sand castles and enjoy the water and waves washing up against their legs; they miss the beautiful sight of the sun setting in the evenings.

Work
Those who could not work remotely from home said they missed going to work and when they could return they want to go the extra mile.  They expressed the desire to spend time catching up for time lost, they want to ask questions, be on the lookout for more work, be willing to take on additional tasks and volunteer their strengths. People are looking forward to talking to their colleagues.

‘…go the extra mile…’

 Some people said they just want to get back to their routines, go to work or go to the gym; take time out to appreciate the things we perhaps took for granted.  One thing for sure is there was a strong desire for loving human connection.

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Motivating your children during the coronavirus pandemic

It can be challenging for parents to keep children happy while the whole family is stuck at home due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As parents we always help with homework and make sure our children have responsibilities like chores, but the extended time families are spending together during the current crisis creates new challenges.

It is important, for parents and children to be consistent and maintain a sense of control.  This includes creating schedules, and communicating clear expectations and guidelines.

‘… help children become more self-motivated …’

Wendy Grolnick, a psychologist and parenting expert who has worked with parents in disaster situations, has studied how parents can help children become more self-motivated. She recommends involving children in decision-making and setting schedules. As parents we must be empathetic and understanding to the emotions of children.

She shares some strategies on how to make the household run more smoothly during the coronavirus crisis.

Involve children in setting schedules.
When children participate in creating guidelines and schedules, they are more likely to believe the guidelines are important, accept them, and follow them. To involve children, parents can set up a family meeting.

At the meeting, parents can discuss the schedule and ask children for their input on decisions like what time everyone should be out of bed and dressed, when breaks from schoolwork would work best, and where each family member should be during study time.

‘… listen to a child’s ideas …’

When parents listen to a child’s ideas, it helps them own their behaviour and be more engaged in what they are doing. There may be differences in opinion but parents can negotiate with their children so that at least some of the children’s ideas are adopted. Resolving conflicts is an important skill for children to learn, and they learn it best from their parents.

Allow children some choice.
Parents can present some chores around the house, and children can choose which they prefer.

‘… do the dishes before or after watching TV …’

They can also pick when or how they complete them; do they want to do the dishes before or after watching their TV show?  Parents can also give children choices about what fun activity they would like to do at the end of the day or for a study break.

Listen and provide empathy.
Children will be more open to hearing about what they need to do if they feel that their own perspectives are understood. Parents can let children know that they understand, for example, that it is not fun to be in the house and that they miss being with their friends.

‘… When parents show they understand, cooperation is enhanced …’

When parents show that they understand, cooperation is enhanced, as is the parent-child relationship.

Provide reasons for rules.
When parents provide reasons for why they are asking for something, children can better understand the importance of acting in particular ways.

‘… have more time for fun …’

Reasons will be most effective when they are meaningful to the children in terms of the children’s own goals. For example, a parent can say that dividing up family chores will help everyone have more time for fun activities after dinner.

Problem-solve together.
Not everything will go according to plan; there will be times of frustration, nagging, and yelling. When things aren’t working out, parents can try engaging in joint problem-solving with their children, which means employing empathy, identifying the issue, and finding ways to resolve it.  This practice can help children to feel more ownership of their behaviour and will make them more likely to cooperate.

A pandemic presents challenges for parents, but using motivational strategies can help parents provide a calmer and more effective environment that also facilitates a positive parent-child relationship.

‘… provide a calmer and more effective environment …’

These strategies require time and patience; studies show that parents are likely to yell and demand when they are stressed. That’s why it’s important for parents to find time for their own self-care and rejuvenation; it can be by exercising, meditating, or writing in a journal.

ALSO READ: Young People Rise to Meet the Pandemic

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Young people, rising up to meet the Covid-19 pandemic

COVID-19 has taken its toll on almost every continent, forced countries into states of emergency, sent individuals into quarantine and isolation, and shut businesses and schools. Despite this there are inspirational stories of the youth who are rising up to meet the challenge.

We are all living in a new environment; the coronavirus has made new expressions like social distancing and self-isolation common but even as young people face unprecedented worries, they are rising up to make a difference. The young people deserve attention.

We will get through this crisis, and when we do, history will show the young people who helped to bridge the world from fear to hope and from confusion to understanding. These young people are reminding us to stick together, even when we’re all apart. Their courage gives us confidence and inspiration to remember there is light that will shine.

Nelson Kwaje from South Sudan tackles misinformation on COVID-19.
Nelson Kwaje, a 28-year old with a background in tech and peace-building, helped to initiate a digital community of youth working in various fields who collaborate to fight misinformation and raise awareness on coronavirus prevention and protection. Using the #COVID19SS hashtag, their work exposes false facts, disputes unfounded remedies or cures, doctored images and any information that could confuse and mislead the public.

Vittorio Foglio from Switzerland is taking supplies to and keeping company with the elderly.
Vittorio Foglio, one of the leaders of Geneva’s Perceval Scouts, felt that, as a scout, he had a mandate to help people. This led him to mobilize his fellow scouts to support elderly communities by reducing the need for them to leave their homes and risk exposure.

‘… assuring the elderly that they care about their wellbeing …’

With teams of people taking phone and email requests and teams delivering supplies, the Perceval Scouts are assuring the elderly that they care about their wellbeing.  This response to the needs of the elderly has curbed the spread of the virus.

Christian Achaleke from Cameroon is producing bottles of disinfectant.
When the first cases of coronavirus were discovered in Cameroon, 26-year old Christian Achaleke, who works in development, realized that contingencies for containment and management had to be set up. He and his officemates bought ingredients for disinfectant, followed the World Health Organisation’s recipe, and tested the mixture.

‘… a campaign to offer hand sanitizer to people on the streets …’

They then devised a plan to launch a campaign to offer hand sanitizer to people on the streets, while engaging people to be aware of the risks surrounding the spread of the virus. He reached out to medical and development professionals throughout the country to help him develop this idea, which became the 1 Person 1 Hand Sanitizer Campaign. He moved his project into a laboratory and engaged pharmacists, doctors, sanitation engineers and nurses to help. Christian is making sure that awareness-raising to curb the spread of the virus helps people to clean their hands, and to clear away misinformation that can cost lives.

Wevyn Muganda and Suhayl Omar from Kenya are supporting members of the community.
Based on the concept of mutual aid, which relies on communities working together to ensure well-being, Wevyn Muganda, an activist and writer, and Suhayl Omar, a community organizer, journalist and student, founded Mutual Aid Kenya to provide aid to vulnerable people.

‘… Kenyans were well informed of the potential risks …’

When the first case of COVID-19 was discovered in Kenya, Wevyn began engaging in digital advocacy, making sure that fellow Kenyans were well informed of the potential risks and solutions. When it became more apparent that several members of the population were ill-prepared and ill-supported, she and Suhayl knew they had to do more, and the two began working together, leading to the creation of Mutual Aid Kenya.

Dana Shubat from Syria is coordinating awareness initiatives with civil society volunteers.
In a push to supplement struggling official responses, many civil society groups have taken it upon themselves to ensure that Syrians are prepared for COVID-19. Dana Shubat has lent herself to this effort. She participated in a mask and hand sanitizers distribution campaign that took place in the 10 days leading up to the quarantine.

‘… translated COVID-19 manuals into Arabic …’

She has taken to social media to provide correct information and sources to the public, posting over 100 times a day on various pages and profiles. Dana is using the knowledge that she gained as a medical student to support engineers who are designing medical supplies to help fill the gaps in the country’s health care system. She also provides support to special needs students via WhatsApp while continuing her role as a volunteer for the Special Olympics. Dana’s work extends even further, she has translated COVID-19 manuals into Arabic aiming to solve problems related to the COVID-19 crisis.

Inés Yabar from Peru is spreading sense about the virus.
Ines Yabar’s work tackles the spread of misinformation and the lack of resources for vulnerable citizens.

‘… alleviate people’s stress and anxiety …’

Just 25 years old, Ines helped to create a subscription-based service that regularly provides people with the accurate, helpful information about COVID-19 that they want and need. She is also a part of the ‘Heal the World’ initiative which aims to alleviate people’s stress and anxiety through kindness and positivity.

An outbreak of generosity from Nourhene Mahmoudi of Italy.
After seeing the sudden and complete lockdowns, and the increasing number of isolated and vulnerable people, Nourhene Mahmoudi felt compelled to act to support his nation. He and other young volunteers launched Outbreak of Generosity which empowers young people to better their communities.

‘… mobilize youth to provide help to vulnerable communities …’

After undergoing an advocacy training, the Outbreak of Generosity campaign was launched with a comprehensive toolkit, translated into 14 languages that helps mobilize youth to provide help to vulnerable communities in a safe and proactive manner. With volunteers from 12 different countries and a strong social media presence, Outbreak of Generosity has been able to help and inspire a large number of people in Europe.

The Ndlovu Youth Choir from South Africa is using entertainment to raise awareness.
The arts may seem like a luxury at a time of crisis when, in fact, performances can be part of the solution. The Ndlovu Youth Choir, a South African youth choir composed, performed and filmed a musical rendition of the World Health Organization’s coronavirus safety advice.

‘… various communities in their country
were well informed and safe …’

Featuring translations of certain key points in various South African languages, the choir composed the song to ensure that the various communities in their country were well informed and safe during the spread of the outbreak. The video was even shared by Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization’s Secretary-General!

Xian Lu from China is cooking for Wuhan’s medical professionals.
The focus of Covid-19 is mostly on patients, but their lives could not be saved without the heroic health workers who risk their own safety to help others.

‘… medical professionals were rarely
able to eat warm, home cooked meals …’

In Wuhan, between the long working hours and closed restaurants, medical professionals were rarely able to eat warm, home cooked meals. This inspired 24-year old Xian Lu to move to Wuhan and volunteer to cook meals for the city’s medical staff, despite the danger to her health. In 40 days, she cooked over 20,000 meals, often cooking up to 400 meals a day. Xian has become a viral sensation in China, and an inspiration to many around the world, young and old alike.

Scouts in Haiti are creating awareness and hand washing campaigns.
Water and soap are among the most powerful weapons to fight the coronavirus. In Haiti, Scout groups are working to support the country to combat the spread of the virus.

‘… singing catchy songs …’

As many communities struggle to access clean water and information on the virus, the Scouts have been traveling to and around the capital, Port-au-Prince, to reach out to people by singing catchy songs made to highlight preventive measures and symptoms. The Scouts carry portable sinks around and install hand washing stations to give Haitians alternatives to contaminated water sources. These Scouts help combat the spread of the virus and encourage people to be aware of the measures that they can take to contribute.

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