How do material conditions impact COVID 19?
Looking at the Covid 19 pandemic through a wholistic lens allows one to see that yes, throughout these past couple of years there were definitely major setbacks in the ways we continued on with our lives but on the other end of things there were also some great advancements; almost every aspect of our lives was impacted in one way or another. Factors such as mental and emotional well-being, overall health status, family values and beliefs, access to transportation, a consistent job, and other necessities were all variables that were constantly being affected in more ways than one. These material factors were something we all took for granted, and once they were stripped away from us, we had to learn how to adapt and change our lives to fit into the everchanging world around us. Living through a pandemic was an adjustment that introduced many stressors, challenges, and tragedies into all of our lives, never mind navigating through wearing masks, social distancing, travel bands, business closures, and supply shortages. Our strength and courage created a path for us to follow and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel showed us all that there is good in every situation we surpass.
One thing that impacted me and my family the most and had a measurable impact on the environment around us, was the decrease in transportation. During the heat of the pandemic, there was a travel ban in most, if not all states. Citizens were asked to stay home as much as possible unless you were an essential worker. Daily responsibilities such as going into work, getting food for your family, family holiday/special event gatherings, or doctors’ appointments were put on hold for an extended period of time. Many studies present data that shows a significant decrease in ground level air pollution due to the fact that there was a notable difference in the amount of travel occurring each day. States banned their citizens from traveling between states. Businesses opened up zoom/video chat to allow their employees to work at home. Non-essential businesses closed down to keep others away and at home. Many adjustments were made to allow our health to take priority and in turn, us as individuals, along with the environment around us benefitted from these changes in more ways than one.
Transportation options were limited as restrictions were put into place, but many studies have stated that although it caused a major uproar in people’s lives, it overall had a more positive impact on the overall health of the population. Public transportation still existed as it was essential during the covid 19 pandemic, but the cleaning procedures and the reduction in operating hours created a major advantage for those who relied on this type of transportation. Social distancing, proper PPE, and cleaning supplies allowed for a cleaner and healthier environment to travel in. Updated operation hours allowed for a less stressful travel experience as the times were clear and precise. The reduction in hours for public transportation allowed for less fumes being placed into our environment thus allowing for less overall ground level air pollution. Although you may not be able to measure this or visibly see this difference, it definitely occurred and has created an overall safer environment for those who rely on this type of transportation. Another area in which we saw a major overall health impact was a decrease in individual transportation. Especially for those living in or near the city, this change created a substantial difference for those in this situation. There was a major traffic decline due to the fact that transportation was really only necessary for essential workers, and thus the overall stress load from traveling decreased. On top of this, less time was devoted towards transportation, and more time was spent at home. This led to an overall health increase as individual stress decreased, more time was spent with family, environmental pollution decreased, and there was less time for sitting in a car and more time for physical activities. So yes, Covid 19 impacted our lives in more ways than one, but seeing the good in these changes can change your outlook on so many different aspects of this pandemic.
Personally, I know that my parents transitioned to working at home and noticed a great difference in the way their everyday schedules worked. They spent a lot more time at their desk, in meetings that were virtual, and less time for breaks. They often worked overtime because travel was no longer considered, and their time away from their office was limited due to the fact that it was confined to where they also relaxed and lived. For us as a family, this was a huge adjustment. My siblings and I were all trying to finish up school virtually, while my parents were also home transitioning to working virtually full time. Lunch breaks were always mid class or work meeting, and there was less emphasis on our mental well-being because everyone thought it was so much easier being home and with family. Turns out this was not the case, at least for my family. Trying to balance school, family time, staying active, and being independent all while our access to transportation, extended family, friends, and businesses were put on hold was a very difficult feat; something I’m sure none of us knew how to handle. After reading over many studies, the Covid 19 pandemic proved to have a detrimental impact on everyone’s overall mental, physical, and emotional well-being due to many reasons. Whether it was the way many felt ‘trapped’ or were experiencing a disconnect between family members/friends/coworkers, or a loss of independence – everyone was impacted in more ways than one and it truly played a role in one’s overall health throughout the course of these 2+ years.
Covid-19 lockdowns cause global air pollution declines | PNAS. (n.d.). Retrieved April 3, 2022, from https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2006853117
