3. EMPATHY IN WORKPLACES AND SCHOOLS
The crisis has completely reshaped how we as a society perspective work and understanding. Is real attendance absolutely essential, or is it just a tradition marker of engagement? Are there things we’ve been doing that were changed or eliminated completely by pandemic constraints, and does it make sense to examine them, revitalize them, or keep them behind immediately?
Employers and educators may continue to acknowledge that individuals learn and work in different ways, and some can thrive with flexibility, compassion and intelligent accommodations.
By embracing hybrid versions and fostering cultures and attitudes that heart emotion, workplaces and schools can enable people to grow and add effectively, regardless of their circumstances. We may continue striving to create situations where individuals feel supported and valued – no constrained or excluded by outdated standards.
4. FILL REMAINING GAPS IN SOCIETY
Nostalgia for the epidemic does not negate the struggling, costs and errors made during those tough times. As we remember those who lost their lives or loved ones, and glory those who bore the brunt of the issue, have we really learnt from their struggle and surrender?
For example, some frontline employees continue to suffer stress and payment, while high-risk individuals such as the impaired still experience threats from other viral diseases.
Representation and acknowledgment are important not just for closing, but for growth. Just by confronting the pandemic’s realities without storage biases can we adequately evaluate our shared response and increase our preparedness for potential crises.
5. APPRECIATE THE LITTLE THINGS
I often find myself lamenting the heavy traffic and relentless jams on the highway during my daily commute, nostalgic for the near-empty roads of the circuit breaker period.
Yet, I remind myself that the traffic, frustrating as it may be, is a sign of normalcy restored. It is far better to endure a traffic jam than to live under the constant shadow of a fatal virus.
Five years on, let this anniversary remind us not only of the challenges we faced, but also of the many ways we sought to rebuild and reshape our lives.
With reflection, compassion and action, we can ensure that the lessons of the pandemic lead to a more resilient future for all.
Dr Lim Boon Leng is a psychiatrist at the Gleneagles Medical Centre.