Earth Day 2030 - One Person Can Change the World

ON EARTH DAY DURING THE COVID19 PANDEMIC

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” -Jane Goodall 

Nothing could be more true. You may not agree with some of the things I’m going to say here, but even one or two nuggets may be of use. Before this pandemic a person could be excused if they thought they were powerless and unable to make a difference in the world. Now it is obvious to all that one person CAN absolutely change the entire world. Have you considered that this pan world crisis was started by ONE person? And only one person can end it, YOU.

I was involved in statistics for several years and I’ve seen how information can be bent to suit a purpose, so I have zero confidence in health or government authorities and whatever statements and directives they release to the general population. They have an agenda and not necessarily to save lives, or at least not my life; I’m the only one that can do that. With luck and foresight I can also save the lives of many others. In a pandemic individuals are expendable, collateral damage, as we’ve seen in our elderly care homes. 

Here are a few things I’ve learned, personal insights into our new world that I would like to share with you.

Insight One - Give Comfort
I know its hard. I have been totally isolated since March 15th. I’ve had my issues, mental, emotional and physical, but I think it through and develop ways to deal with it. I’m in the highest risk group, being over 60 and with immune and lung issues, chances are if I get the virus I will die. I have no health care support, no family and no-one, not even long time friends, even asked if I need help. Funny as I’ve always been such a support to others. People see me as being very capable, which I am, but it would be nice to be asked. I did eventually reach out to my cleaner, who has been very helpful and now she knows, she does phone to ask if I need anything. Others may be embarrassed to ask. So the first insight is contact everyone you know and ask if they need any support. Even the very act of asking is a comfort, even if you feel you have nothing to offer. 

Insight Two - Isolate. 

TOTAL isolation is the key to controlling transmission. We all need to protect ourselves, but we also need to protect the people around us, particularly the weak and infirm. Therefore do wear face coverings and gloves of some kind, anything is better than nothing. I’m adamant that everyone should wear a face covering and gloves when going among others. Even when I take the garbage out I have to negotiate ten door handles and an unventilated elevator or stair well. I protect myself and others when doing this. I have not seen one other person doing this in my complex, even those who work in health care. Duh! 

Horrified by the lack of fun and style available in face coverings, I recently developed a line of designer face coverings through a print on demand website. I donate excess funds to help the vulnerable, but I think it inappropriate to link to them here. I’m also hand sewing some cloth masks for close friends and vulnerable neighbors with no contact distribution and honor system donations. Do what you can right?

Insight Three - Be Clean. 
Having been a caregiver for 16 years and before that in catering, I’m a self-confessed germaphobe and know how to keep things, including myself, clean. All cleaners are alkaline, they don't have to be chemical, mass produced or expensive things with labels. Baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice etc all make alkaline water, which is basically what commercial cleaners are, just with a huge markup. Alcohol (sanitiser) is a poor second choice if alkaline water is not available. 

Insight Four - Be resourceful. 
Limit reliance on the external. This will be difficult for some because we have become conditioned consumers of mass produced products. However, after all the fires and floods we’ve had in recent years I was personally prepared for disaster with a survival stash of rice, protein powder and canned/dried goods. Be prepared, but respectful of supply. We will face shortages in the fall, so start your stash now. Home canning of home grown fruits and veggies is recommended. freezing a second choice unless you have an independant home generator and a stash of fuel for it. I have a “make do and mend” “reduce, reuse” philosophy. I don’t need much, but I have tested my supply chains for medications and essentials, which are delivered and immediately put into an isolation area for up to two weeks depending on type of packaging; I don't buy high touch, high risk items and I clean things with alkaline water where necessary. I’m even growing a “Victory over Covid” planter garden on my balcony. If you can, get some chickens, a pig or two and a milk goat.

My first “Victory Over Covid19” garden salad.

Insight Five - No Contact Sales
What goes out, stays out. In Canada we have a 14 - 90 day return policy in most stores. I used to think this is compulsory, but it is only a recommendation. I have made sales during isolation, but it is with a “No cash, no touch, no return policy”. Cash free payment has become common in stores and may be the start of a new trend. E-transfer, Paypal, etc are not new, but they’re almost exclusive now, We may become a cashless society. If we are selling things we need to explore cashless payment methods and find the best ones for our customers. I also like ones that do the accounting for me. Excellent descriptions and multiple images are crucial. I offer to take more images or a video until the customer is satisfied. For local sales I place the packaged item outside my home with a name tag. I do this by appointment so customers aren’t bumping into each other. I do not allow viewing/touching in person or returns. For remote sales items are picked up by courier at my door. What leaves my virus free environment is final. Buyers who are not clued in sometimes object, but another buyer is respectful and happy to feel protected. I’ve discovered that the second demographic are much nicer people to deal with on all levels, so no loss.

More insights another day. Happy Earth Day. Stay Safe.