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TOP 10 WAYS 2020 DIDN'T SUCK

“HEROES” GOT A NEW DEFINITION THIS YEAR.

Healthcare workers, sanitation workers, police forces everywhere, airport and airline staff, civic body staff and every professional class deemed “essential” during this global crisis personified the word “hero”. If it was a tough time for those who were indoors in quarantine, it was even tougher for all those out in the frontlines in an unprecedented situation, risking their lives every day to ensure the rest of us could live and work comfortably from home.

MANY TOOK THIS TIME TO RECONNECT WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS, NEIGHBOURS.

Some were in much need for space after being cooped up at home for extended periods amid lockdowns. But for so many others—the lucky ones who were able to head back home before flight operations were halted and restrictions were imposed—this was an opportunity to spend all the time in the world with the family they had to move away from for their career or other reasons. Parties over Zoom reconnected long-lost friends. Neighbours went from being strangers to second family.

MENTAL HEALTH IS NOW A PRIORITY.

The conversation around mental health is now louder than ever. A number of companies have understood the need for mental health days and have been giving their employees special days off to recoup. There were numerous warnings in the early days of COVID-19 cautioning the world about the mental health crisis we may be staring at. This drew attention to the predicament of those silently suffering, creating awareness and mindfulness around the topic.

MANY OF US HAVE NEW TALENTS AND SKILLS.

It was by no means a productivity contest, but a large chunk of the population used this time to develop new skill sets, and nurture hidden talents—those who could never make time for the gym have emerged fitter; herbs and other plants flourished, thanks to all new home gardeners; the world now has a lot many chefs, artists and musicians. #PandemicProductivity

PEOPLE POWER CAME THROUGH.

This certainly was heartening to see. When Mumbai city came together for a defeated vegetable vendor; when Delhiites flocked to Baba Ka Dhaba; when fruit vendor Phool Mia was flooded with donations after his produce was looted, our faith in humanity was restored. Italians in lockdown sang together from their balconies; large firms used their resources to manufacture ventilators, masks and sanitisers; celebrities like Sonu Sood and Vikas Khanna as well as hospitality brands helped the worst-affected by the crisis—all these acts showcased the good in the world and a spirit that wouldn’t cow down even to a year like 2020.

WORK FROM HOME, FINALLY!

If we had to name one thing the pandemic rendered nearly redundant in 2020, it was the office. With everyone but essential workers working from home since COVID-19 struck and an element of risk still involved in stepping out, more and more businesses are giving #WFH some serious thought. Some, like Microsoft, Infosys and Twitter have made the option permanent for their employees, while many others like Google, Facebook and smaller businesses have either extended the work-from-home period till late next year.

IT WAS A GOOD YEAR FOR LGBTQ RIGHTS.

There were a number of occasions where the rainbow flag flew high with pride. It was a landmark year for the community as a lot many countries legalised gay marriages in 2020, including Northern Ireland, Costa Rica and Taiwan, the first in Asia to make the progressive move. Then there was the US Supreme Court ruling that held that no person can be fired from a job for being gay or transgender.

IT WAS A LOW-CARBON PANDEMIC.

With countries across the globe going into lockdown, industries shut, flights grounded and vehicles off roads, there was a drastic dip in carbon emissions worldwide. While the effects of these restrictions began to turn around soon after humans were allowed to leave their homes, we can still feel better about some of the progress made in the climate change battle. Even the UN Environment Programme’s Emissions Gap report points to hope in a green pandemic recovery and nations’ growing commitments to net-zero emissions. For starters, China is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030 and the US is set to rejoin the Paris climate pact.

WE REALISED JUST HOW IMPORTANT TRAVEL IS TO OUR LIVES.

The prospect of not being able to travel indefinitely had many dreaming of destinations they had both frequented and never been to. Being able to travel is, indeed, a privilege, a realisation many had in the months they were unable to. From memes to vlogs and op-eds, the internet now is full of odes to travel and resolves to be better, more responsible and conscious travellers going forward.