As the world battles the coronavirus pandemic, hysteria levels have begun to rise. More people are panicking and stocking up on essentials like toilet paper, soap, hand sanitizer, medications, disinfectant wipes, etc. The fear is palpable, and it can be felt from all around the world.
In the midst of all of this chaos, Einstein the Talking Parrot has a message of hope and encouragement for everyone, especially those frightened by the horrible Covid-19. In the video, Einstein begins by saying, “God bless you!” before offering some words of light and love. His message of “Don’t be scared, it’s alright.” is a strong reminder that everything is going to be okay.
“Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out.” – Vaclav Havel
Hope is what we all need at this moment, and this is also what Elizabeth Schneider, who has recently recovered from COVID-19, is looking to spread. Her message is one of hope and belief that this is just a phase that will pass.
Although it may not seem like it at the moment, Schneider believes we will all get past this together. According to her, staying vigilant rather than panicking is the way to go. If there’s anyone who should know better, she should, having passed through the virus itself and survived.
“Obviously, it’s not something to be completely nonchalant about, because there are a lot of people who are elderly or have underlying health conditions. That means that we need to be extra vigilant about staying home, isolating ourselves from others,” she said in an interview. [1]
She adds that if you feel sick, or you think you have the virus, get yourself tested. But before the result comes in, isolate yourself from others, stay at home, drink plenty of fluids, wash and sanitize your hands and, more importantly, avoid crowds to contain the spread of the virus.
Like other challenges, this too shall pass. Remain calm. Do not lose hope. Together we can, and we shall beat this virus.
For the greater good of everyone
At this critical period, we also need to work together as a community, and this is what Zahid Iqbal is doing. He is ensuring that the elderly and the infirmed — who are more susceptible to the virus and may be unable to shop for these groceries and essentials — get free survival packs, which include a packet of pocket tissues, anti-bacterial hand wash, and a packet of paracetamol.
While the financial implications of this grand gesture cannot be overlooked, Zahid is unbothered and has refused to take any donations, citing that his customers are worth every penny.
“Money can be made in the future… Right now, we need to do our part for the community,” said Zahid. “We want to help out for as long as we can manage, and everybody needs to be doing their bit. If we run out of toilet rolls, then the next thing we want to do is pasta. If there’s a lockdown, people need to be able to look after themselves. The satisfaction you get helping people out is just amazing.“ [2]
It is beautiful to see people who are showing concern for others during this period. Like the young man above, we also need to think of others while making certain decisions. For one, stockpiling on a product is awesome, but have you stopped to consider if your neighbor has these essentials. It is pertinent that we fight together as a community and not independently.
How to keep worries away
It is perfectly normal to be scared during this period owing to the recently declared pandemic. Fear is your body’s natural response to a threat. But if unchecked, this fear can quickly develop into something worse, ranging from anxiety, obsessive thoughts, and actions. If you are already tilting towards having any of these things, here are practical solutions that will help stem your worry:
Focus on the positives
It is very easy to get disturbed owing to the negative news flying about; however, concentrating on that will only exacerbate your worry. Focus on the positives rather than the negatives. Remember that 90% of those in the closed cases category have recovered from the virus.
Get credible sources
Getting trusted sources of information is very vital, especially with the alarming number of fake news on the internet. Stick to sources like the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for verifiable information. They will update you about the latest happenings and any other information you need to have. Since they are professionals, you can trust whatever they will say. By doing this, you will protect from rumor mongers with unverifiable sources of information. [4]
Avoid googling symptoms
While Google is a great place to get information, you have to stop visiting it if you find that you are extremely worried about the virus. Googling symptoms every time you forget to wash your hands will potentially cause more good than harm. For now, try as much as possible to avoid visiting forums and message-boards as well. [3]
About Einstein
Einstein the Talking Parrot, is a smart, popular, and silly parrot who loves to entertain his followers by mimicking silly vocalizations, funny sayings and quotes, memorizing the name of several animals, making animal sound imitations, having a conversation with his owners and generally acting silly. His hilarious antics and amazing talking abilities have seen the bird enjoy a wide following across all social media platforms. What’s more? The parrot also has a website which states Einstein’s mission statement, which is “to entertain and bring joy, to foster the human-parrot bond, and to convey that parrots are deserving of immeasurable amounts of patience, nurturing and companionship.”
References
- “Here’s what this US coronavirus survivor in Seattle learned when she was sick.” CNN. Theresa Waldrop. March 13, 2020.
- “Coronavirus in Edinburgh: Convenience store goes viral after giving away free ‘packs’ to elderly.” Edinburgh Live. Claire Galloway. Accessed March 19, 2020.
- “Coping with coronavirus anxiety.” Harvard Health Publishing. John Sharp. March 12, 2020.
- “If coronavirus scares you, read this to take control over your health anxiety.” The Guardian. Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett. March 16, 2020.
- “Talking parrot offers consoling words regarding the coronavirus.” Einstein Parrot. Accessed March 19, 2020.