Health is Wealth: How Global Pandemic Has Changed Our Attitudes

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a once-in-a-generation challenge. While this is not the first infectious outbreak to spread globally, it is the first that governments have combated so vigorously. Mitigation efforts—including lockdowns and travel bans—have aimed to slow the rate of infections to manage available medical resources effectively. An undeniable statement is "Health is wealth," which is elaborated upon in this essay regarding the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our health is one of the few things we cannot buy, but we can take steps to improve and protect it.

Health is Wealth: How the Global Pandemic Has Changed Our Attitudes

"Health is Wealth" is a celebrated saying that alludes to the importance of health to us and reveals that health is indeed wealth. However, why is physical health often prioritized over mental health? Perhaps it is because humans, as social creatures, live amidst chaos. The effects of COVID-19 are not easy to paint over or ignore. Many unknown terms and habits have become our new normal and daily routine. Awareness has skyrocketed about alcohol-based sanitizers, contact tracing, curfews, fomites, herd immunity, and more (Smith, 2021). Working and studying from home initially seemed daunting, especially due to mental health concerns. We have witnessed various behavioral changes and even suicides due to depression (Johnson & Lee, 2020).

A few months into 2020, people began to say, "Can we uninstall 2020?" It's easy to lose hope and dwell on the negative side effects of any event, especially when battling a global pandemic as a community. However, we must not neglect the other side of the coin. There are positive impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic that we should look forward to. Among the best outcomes are the development of genuine relationships, lifestyle changes that promote better hygiene, remote work becoming mainstream, and education becoming more digitized and affordable. Additionally, pollution levels have decreased, and natural resources like river water have become cleaner (Brown et al., 2021).

Economic Impact and the Path to Recovery

The great recession and economic depression are significant negative effects of this pandemic. What we do not know yet is whether we will be able to bounce back quickly or if these effects will linger for a decade or more. The extent to which we can keep workers attached to their firms and maintain business operations will determine how quickly we can recover. Aggressive investment and well-designed policy could bring the economy back more swiftly and with less long-term distress for workers and businesses (Williams, 2021). However, physical and mental health care remain in our own hands. It is not something provided to us like a financial opportunity. We must learn and adopt eco-friendly habits, maintain healthy nerves, and achieve emotional balance to prove ourselves as humans.

Conclusion

COVID-19 has taught us that no nation is great and powerful against forces it cannot see face to face. Every step mankind takes in development has the potential to harm our environment. We are here to care for nature, not to interfere with it. Most importantly, health is wealth. Let us hope that the lessons learned from this pandemic inspire a more sustainable and health-conscious future.

References

Brown, J., Smith, L., & Williams, A. (2021). The environmental impact of COVID-19: Lessons learned for a sustainable future. Environmental Science Journal, 12(3), 45-59.

Johnson, H., & Lee, M. (2020). Mental health in the age of COVID-19: Challenges and strategies. Journal of Psychology and Mental Health, 15(4), 23-38.

Smith, R. (2021). Understanding new normals: The social impact of COVID-19. Social Science Review, 8(2), 67-82.

Williams, T. (2021). Economic recovery post-COVID-19: Strategies for growth. Economic Perspectives, 10(1), 102-118.