Stepping into 2021 mindful of Covid-19

The year 2020 has been more challenging, mostly because of the Covid-19 pandemic which callously put things at standstill at some point.

Making plans can be daunting, particularly in this challenging time, but remember to plan is to prepare.

Now that Covid-19 has dwelt among us, it is time to make right choices, in terms of protecting ourselves as individuals, taking positive steps as a family, at the workplace or business premises by committing to stick to preventive measures.

Many of the plans and goals for 2020 haven’t been accomplished owing to the fact that some people lost their jobs on the way; planned trips didn’t materialise; plans to finish school or move on to another level didn’t work and businesses stalled.

However, the fact that we have a pandemic in our midst should give us more reasons to plan, strategise and align our goals for next year with the pandemic.

We need to be realistic and opt for goals that can be achieved besides impending challenges, that will minimise disappointments.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), the risk of gender-based violence and harmful practices soars during an emergency, especially for girls living under restricted movement and socio-economic decline.

The year 2020 has seen an increase in gender-based violence and this has been attributed to the pandemic, giving us more reasons to be on guard, particularly when protecting children.

As we continue to observe social distancing in teh face of Covid-19, take time to think of the things that will help to keep your children safe and busy at home. Teach and make them understand their role in protecting themselves and the family from the pandemic and anything harmful.

Make a collection of books to be needed at home for both parents and children. The books will help to keep you and the children busy and on track academically.

Invest only in projects that are achievable even in situations where there is lockdown. In case you are not on medical scheme, this is the time to plan and register for one.

Take time to gauge your work reliability—can it stand the pandemic in a long-term? If not, what other income generating activities can you venture into without necessarily putting yourself or members of your family at risk, for example, online business.

Avoid unnecessary spending, for example, during the pandemic, many companies are advising their staff to work from home, this is the opportunity to stop spending on maids.

There are some opportunities that you are going to miss due to the pandemic, learn to accept realities. The pandemic itself brings about stress and anxiety, don’t over push yourself.

No matter what, life must go on, human beings are the best adapters to change, Covid-19 has come to change the way we plan; the way we do things or even our priorities and social needs, let us learn to leave with it.

There are useful guidelines on Page 4 of this supplement on Steps for making your New Year resolutions, read them carefully and you will learn one or two tips.

Stay safe as you await to enter the New Year this coming Friday.