THE CORONAVIRUS DISRUPTED MY LIFE; THIS CHANGED MY PERSPECTIVE

Life Before the Coronavirus Pandemic

In 2009, I took my first international trip to Costa Rica. Ever since then, I’ve had a passion for travel. It challenges me, pushes me out of my comfort zone, introduces me to different cultures, and gives me a way to escape the throes of reality. So I became a travel enthusiast, crossing borders and oceans whenever possible.

However, because of my full-time corporate career, my ability to travel was limited—like two weeks per year limited. So, years ago, I set a goal to use all of my paid-vacation to travel internationally at least two times per year. Every year I met my goal. That is until, March 2020.

That month, Italy reported that the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)—which originated out of China—was killing hundreds and infecting thousands more. In the United States, fear began to mount, but the country took no serious precautions. Life went on. The government didn’t require protective masks and large crowds continued to pack into venues.

Many people, including myself, continued to work at the office, attend business functions, and travel. In fact, in early March, I took one of my yearly trips to the less-traveled country of El Salvador. Unlike in the United States, masks were mandated for airport personnel. And, the airport required temperature checks in an effort to screen travelers for the coronavirus. It was then, that I felt the gravity of the situation.

Life After the Coronavirus Pandemic

On the same day I returned from El Salvador—March 11, 2020—the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. Then, on Tuesday, March 17, everything changed. I went into work where my supervisor told me that I could work from home. Soon thereafter, the vast majority of states within the U.S. implemented stay-at-home orders, asking everyone except for essential workers or those in unique circumstances to stay indoors.

Sadly, this marked the last time I partook in normal routine—eating at my favorite restaurants, attending gatherings with family, going to the movies, hanging out with friends, etc. Even the small and mundane moments—like choosing an outfit for work or going into the grocery store without a medical face mask—became cherished memories.

My life took a drastic shift.

Disruption of My Travel Passion

While in denial about the state of the world, I debated numerous times whether I should just pack my bags and travel. Several questions occupied my mind—should I take an international trip? would a domestic flight be less risky? shouldn’t I take advantage of my ability to work remotely?

Ultimately, I decided against it. I’m glad I did. Going to an airport occupied by hundreds of people and sitting in one of those tightly packed airplane seats didn’t seem wise. My decision was solidified by the Turismo de Portugal (the Portuguese Tourism Board).

New Perspective

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Board changed its marketing campaign from #CantSkipPortugal to #CantSkipHope. For the marketing campaign, the Board posted a Youtube video featuring stunning images of Portugal. The video spread a powerful message through the serene voice of a narrator. It states:

“It’s time to stop. It’s time to look out for each other in the distance. Time to stare humanity in the eyes, to take a break for the world. It’s time to stop. Time to take a pause, so we can play again. To think of everyone and meet no one. To reset, re-centre, switch off, to move on. Time to change our little world, to calibrate the path of mankind.”

I love and appreciate this campaign because, as the narrator points out:

“Nature, landscapes, beaches and monuments aren’t going anywhere. They will still be there waiting for a better time to be lived. And we must do the same for a while. It’s time to stop. The perfect time not to visit anything. Sometimes to rise is to stand still. It’s time to stop, stop and think of ourselves, think of everyone else too. It’s time to stop and refocus as a whole, for all. It’s time to understand and respect our times. Respect one another. The faster we stop the sooner we will bond again. It’s time to dream of those amazing days to come.”

So I will just revel in the memories I’ve made while traveling these past several years and wait until it’s safe to travel again; to make new memories; to resume my passion.