5 Unexpected Benefits of the COVID-19 Quarantine
Let’s be real. There’s not much to like about the coronavirus. It’s killing people, causing people to lose their jobs, and deflating the economy.
That said, every situation has some positives, right?
Let’s take a look at five good things to come out of the COVID-19 – it might take your mind off of all the depressing stuff for a while.
1. You Finally Have an Excuse to Avoid Creepy People on the Street
I don’t know about you, but I encounter a lot of creepy people when I walk through my city. Sometimes these creepers want to hit on me, but not so much anymore now that I’m old and ugly. Usually, they just want to solicit for money or ask weird questions.
The good news – COVID-19 gives you a chance to ignore these people! No longer is it a social faux pas to shy away from strangers. You’re actually encouraged to! So next time you see a weirdo eyeing you up, cross the street without fear.
2. You Get to Stay Home and Avoid Everyone
I don’t know about you, but I’m a hermit. Social anxiety makes me afraid to go out normally, but then when I stay at home, I feel like I’m missing out on the world. Guess what? COVID-19 has taken away that pressure!
One of the benefits of coronavirus is that I no longer feel obligated to show my face in the world. It sounds crazy, but that has taken a huge load off my shoulders. I feel freer than I have in a while because I know I’m not missing out on anything. We’re all hermits now.
3. You Get the Chance to Fight Social Injustice
COVID-19 has marked one of the biggest Black Lives Matter protests since the movement initially began. Why is this? What makes George Floyd’s death worse than any of the other unwarranted murders of people of color by police?
Honestly, I think it’s because people have more free time on their hands. They don’t have to go to work and can’t go out to bars or shops. That, and they’ve been cooped up for so long that they’re itching for something to do. This may not be the best motivation for fighting social injustices… but at least it’s getting the wheel turning.
4. You Can Protect Yourself From Air Pollution
While everyone is going back and forth on the “masks infringe on my personal rights!” argument, I’m just sitting here thinking about how they’ll help me during fire season.
Obviously, I wear a mask to protect myself and others from coronavirus. But masks are also a great defense against smoke and particles from wildfires. Now that it’s July, fire season in Spokane is just around the corner, and at times, things can get so hazy that you can’t see down the block. Since it’s now socially accepted (and required) to wear a mask, I have a feeling my lungs will thank me.
5. You Get to See People’s True Colors
Back to that mask thing. In my opinion, if you refuse to wear one, you’re kind of an idiot. I’m all for personal freedoms as much as the next person (I even went to a Libertarian retreat once), but sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the good of the population. If you even count wearing a mask as a “sacrifice.”
The point here is, the mask debate really shows you the type of people you’re dealing with, more so than Trump or other politics. That stuff is divisive because the media makes it that way. But masks represent a simple conflict between preservation of self and preservation of society. People who refuse to wear masks are saying they value themselves over others. It might just change how you view your friends and family.
The Benefits of Coronavirus
We’re going to be stuck with this virus for a while, so it’s time to start making the most of it. Chances are, we won’t have a vaccine for years to come.
After all, researchers are still working on a vaccine for HIV and don’t expect it to be ready until 2030 – nearly 50 years after the initial outbreak of the virus.
Until then, sit back, relax, and enjoy your time at home while you can.
