Corona Diaries

Scarlett

“At the core of our very existence, is the drive for survival and with this comes a huge store of resilience

over the years which will see us through this uncertain period.”

Background Information

Female, aged 25-34, Researcher and PhD Student, South Wales, White, Married.

April 2020 – Opinion Piece

‘Stay together by staying apart’. This phrase, at first appears to be an oxymoron. How can we remain

‘together’ when the message is loud and clear to stay apart?

If we think about the current situation in which we find ourselves, one of the key things we have all learnt

over the past few weeks is that ‘social distancing’ does not have to mean social disconnection. The myriad

of ways in which people are rushing to connect is testament to the social nature of the human race. It is

important to remember that in times of great adversity, there is always great potential for innovation and

progress, of which we are witness to countless examples of developing a ‘new normal’.

It seems we are in the throes of developing a national consciousness around balancing the importance of

following medical guidance to keep people protected from covid-19 for as long as possible, while ensuring

that we keep connected to one another to see us through this turbulent time. Here in the UK, we are yet to

see the peak of the crisis, and with ever increasing pressure and demands we are sure to see even more

innovation and new ways of doing things in the coming weeks…

All in this together

At the core of our very existence, is the drive for survival and with this comes a huge store of resilience

over the years which will see us through this uncertain period. However, one unfortunate and potentially

long-lasting consequence of the measures taken to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic is that by virtue of

their very nature they reinforce age segregation. They do this through correctly identifying older people as

being at higher risk of becoming seriously ill. Whilst the science behind this statement is correct, by virtue

this creates a socially constructed ‘them and us’ scenario with serious consequences. For one, we develop

an impression of global vulnerability and dependency of anyone aged over and above 65. Secondly, we

begin to assume illness and weakness as a defining characteristic of the older generations, yet people of

the same cohort often have less in common than one might suppose. With the new social isolation

restrictions taking force, we must make sure that these stereotypes and divisions are not further ingrained.

For this reason, now more than ever it is imperative that we let go of labels and any lasting notions of

generational warfare. There is no doubt that we are all in this together. We must therefore find new and

safe ways to connect, re-connect and maintain connections between generations. We know that

interpersonal contact is one of the most effective ways to reduce prejudice between majority and minority

group members (Allport, 1954). Without this contact, prejudices can become firmly rooted and hard to alter.

As physical barriers are put in our way, let this not be an excuse to dis-connect and better still let us find

new interpersonal routes to connection.

Unity between the generations

As I return to my studies around the development and sustainability of intergenerational ways of connecting

in social care, I find myself reflecting on the notion of intergenerational unity and its central importance at

this critical juncture in time. Intergenerational unity is understood by some sociologists as essential to the

health of the human species since its survival may be related to the realization that we are all connected to

one another. As this crisis evolves, the resounding lesson appears to be how much we (seemingly)

unknowingly and consistently rely on each other for our very survival!…from key workers, neighbours,

friends, families, to local and extended (and online) communities. Where would we be without our heart

beating strongly at the core of the National Health Service of the UK? We collectively move forward every

day trusting in the knowledge that supporting each other will strengthen our efforts to feel our way through

this situation. This sentiment has been recognised wholeheartedly by our commissioners in Wales:

Joint statement from Commissioners (Older Peoples Commissioner; Children’s Commissioner; Future

Generations Commissioner):

‘Together we are stronger, together we will get through this.’

New ‘normal’

As we draw strength in finding our new ‘normal’ together, attention turns to finding new ways to keep

connected. With the first Intergenerational Week fresh in our minds, throughout this online national

conversation, so many examples have been shared of children and older people alike thinking outside the

box to keep connecting with one another. From new solutions such as sending ‘virtual bouquets’ of flowers

to care home residents (picture below) to re-kindling a passion for the age old pen-pal letter, the drive to

connect is certainly alive and kicking. This of course, has been mirrored in familial connections from multi-

player online quizzes to ‘virtual dinner parties’, there is certainly the will to stay connected now more than

ever. Time will tell whether these new ways of connecting become our ‘new normal’.

To close, at a time when we understandably shield our young generations from the fear and uncertainty

perpetuated by the daily bombardment of the media, let us not exclude our children from conversations

about moving forward and building positive futures. To draw on the Huayan school of Buddhism:

‘Generations to come are the ancestors of the future and have much to teach us.’ Let us seize the

opportunity to learn from each other in a kind and considerate way.

Finally, as we think about our plans for the future when we endeavour to ‘return to normal’, let us also take

some time to consider which bits of ‘normal’ we want for our planet and how we want our future generations

to connect with one another. If indeed our survival depends on our inter-dependent connections, how might

these connections become strengthened in the years to come? How might we all make one change to live

more sustainably and harmoniously together?

‘The world was not left to us by our parents, but lent to us by our children.’