Wake-up call
This coronavirus pandemic has come as a shock to our global systems and is a wake-up call to everyone. There have been some serious disease epidemics in recent years, such as Ebola in Africa and SARS in Asia, but this is the first truly global pandemic in our lifetimes.
The outbreak of COVID-19 has certainly highlighted the divide between rich and poor and the need for greater equity in all aspects of daily life and being. I can visualise in every part of the world overcrowded refugee camps, teeming shantytowns and congested dormitories for migrant workers, where few have a choice for social distancing. Access to extra water and soap for regular handwashing is an undreamed-of luxury when many have to carry precious water miles to provide for their families’ drinking and cooking.
We talk of telehealth for our clients and online learning for our young people, yet many people living even in high-income countries do not have access to their own computer and must share internet resources, if they have access at all. Many people have lost their livelihoods and we are told that a global recession is imminent.
However, as I look on the internet and receive messages in my inbox and on social media, I see that people are coming out to help. In my own city for instance, by the end of June, the NGO HandsOn HK volunteers will have made over 1000 doorstep food deliveries to support the well-being of more than 560,000 people – 40% of the city’s elderly who live in poverty and are now self-isolating and unable to leave their homes. Many other NGOs are undertaking similar activities around the world.
The WFOT has made every effort to support national organisations and individual members to gain resources and share issues, concerns and reflections on the Occupational Therapy International Online Network (OTION), accessible from https://wfot.link/covid19. As Marilyn Pattison points out in her President’s Message, resources are available … .
As we move forward into the new normal, whatever that will be, we need to think of what the United Nations is trying to achieve through the Sustainable Development Goals and put our minds into these efforts. The Goals include no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, high-quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequality, sustainable cities and villages, responsible consumption, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace, justice and strong institutions, partnerships for goals … . Sustainability is paramount.
I thank the editorial team and our guest editor Dr Nick Pollard for drawing together the articles that address some of the important topics on sustainability as we move forward.