Important Things People Learned in 2020 Which Shouldn’t be Forgotten

As we go into 2021, I’m trying to look ahead with optimism. I’ve been thinking about some of the important things which people learned in 2020. Some of those things are so important that we shouldn’t leave them behind. We need to carry them forward.

Important Things People Learned in 2020

There’s no denying that 2020 was a horrendous year. We’ve seen so much devastation but when I thought about it, I realised there were a few good things to come from it and perhaps we should acknowledge them and take them with us into 2021.

Important Things People Learned About Life

This past year, so many people have fought for their lives and so many families have lost loved ones. It’s been a difficult year for me personally because I lost much loved close family, most especially, my Dad. But I have also shed tears for other people, some of whom, I don’t even know. This year has been heartbreaking for people throughout the world.

Every Life is Precious

Everyone is someone’s relative or friend. They might be a parent or grandparent, a son, daughter or a sibling. They might be an aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, friend or neighbour. Everyone means something to someone. Every life is precious.

Every Moment is Precious

When someone passes away, you wish that you could have extra time with them. A month. A week. A day. Even just an hour would be good. But we don’t get extra time. Every moment is precious.

Every Memory is Precious too

Memories can help get us through tough times.. They can make us smile when we feel as though we’ll never smile again. Memories should be treasured because they are all precious.

Important Things People Learned About Community Spirit

There was an abundance of kindness and community spirit in many places. Families helped each other. Neighbours helped neighbours. People set up local groups to help anyone who needed help. This was especially important for people who were living alone and shielding.

Had we forgotten that important act of being kind and neighbourly? Perhaps the pandemic gave us an important reminder which we can’t risk forgetting again. We need kindness in the world more than ever.

Important Things People Learned About Gratitude

People stood on their doorsteps during the pandemic and clapped to thank nurses, doctors and other key workers.

We shouldn’t have needed a pandemic to remind us to show gratitude. I want to say that we need to ensure it’s a lesson we don’t forget, however, I fear that many people already have.

Too many people don’t want to follow restrictions and guidelines about wearing masks and they spread conspiracy theories and attend anti-lockdown marches. By doing so, they are continuing to spread the virus and make medical staffs’ jobs more difficult. That’s not showing gratitude. That’s showing ignorance, disrespect and a lack of compassion.

Every keyworker is important. Medical staff and other hospital workers, researchers, shop staff, bus drivers, delivery drivers and so many more people have helped us to get through 2020. The best way to show gratitude to them is to do our utmost to help stop spreading this horrendous virus.

Important Things People Learned About Disabilities

People often have to stay at home due to disability or chronic illness. They’ve had to adapt to life and learn to make the most of their surroundings. Many have had to give up work and their social life is often non-existent.

During the pandemic restrictions, healthier people suddenly got a taste of what it can be like to be cooped up at home. They got a taste of not being able to go for a coffee or go shopping whenever they wanted. And many also got a taste of the loneliness, isolation, frustration and annoyance which can be normal for people with disabilities or chronic illness.

Their lives will hopefully go back to normal at some point. But let’s hope that they don’t forget about the people whose lives won’t be changing.

Technology Made a More Accessible World for People With Disabilities

An unintentional consequence of the pandemic restrictions was that the world became a little bit more inclusive thanks to technology. It was used more than ever and it opened doors which have been closed in the past.

People Could Join In

Technology is amazing in the first place, but where would we all have been in 2020 without it? Those Zoom calls and Facetime meetings have allowed families and friends to keep in touch. They’ve allowed people to attend virtual parties, celebrations, classes and meetings.

In the ‘real world,’ those things would have been difficult, even impossible, for some people with disabilities. Fatigue, pain, anxiety or other health problems might have stopped them from attending real-life events. But suddenly, they were able to take part virtually. They could join in from the comfort of their own homes.

But technology didn’t just stop there. It has opened so many other doors.

Work and Sudying Became More Accessible

People with disabilities or chronic illness are often unable to work because there are so many hurdles to get over. Holding down a job is often too difficult due to pain, exhaustion or the nature of their illness. Working from home could be easier, however, most employers don’t consider it a viable option.

But in 2020, restrictions forced people to work from home and employers made provision for that. Students at colleges and universities also had to do most of their studying from home.

The impossible became possible due to the pandemic.

These measures were taken for ‘healthy’ people. Surely the same measures could continue for people with chronic health problems?

Life could be so much different if people could work at their own pace in their own space.

Entertainment

We’re used to finding distractions from our pain, but more distractions became available to us during the pandemic. Museums, art galleries, zoos and safari parks had to close their doors to the public but many of them took their businesses online instead.

That opened up a whole new world to people with disabilities. Disabled people are often unable to travel to those places and spend hours wandering around. Due to the pandemic, we could enjoy virtual tours while sitting in our armchairs or even while lying in bed.

Medical Appointments Became Easier

Doctors visits changed too. Telephone or video consultations became the norm for everyone unless it was deemed necessary to see a doctor in person.

Trips to a GP surgery or hospital clinic are often difficult when you are living with a chronic illness. People often have to rely on someone to take them to the appointment and it can be a tiring and painful outing. First, there is need to shower and dress before even contemplating a painful journey. Then they need to sit in uncomfortable chairs while waiting to be seen by a doctor. By the time they get home, pain is often through the roof and they are physically and mentally drained.

Obviously, face to face appointments are necessary sometimes, but those telephone and video consultations are so much more convenient and should become a routine option.

We Need to Keep Doors Open

The pandemic forced changes for everyone in 2020. Those changes allowed people to carry on with life as best as possible in an almost impossible situation. But the changes actually made the world more inclusive for people with disabilities or chronic illness. It became easier for us to participate in some aspects of life.

Doors were opened in 2020. Now they need to stay open.

Looking Ahead With Positivity

Perhaps remembering the important things people learned in 2020 can help us to go into the new year with some degree of positivity. I sincerely hope that 2021 is better for everyone.

I wish you a happier and healthier new year.

Please, take care and stay safe.