What can we learn from the pandemic?
The coronavirus has fundamentally changed how we live, with almost all aspects of life, including the economy, work, leisure and education being affected. Many commentators say now is the time to pause and assess the opportunities arising from the crisis and what life after the pandemic could look like.
Politics has no place in healthcare
Key posts in Romanian hospitals must no longer be assigned according to political criteria, România Liberă demands:
“The employees of a manager who is appointed because of the party he belongs to won't trust or respect him. Perhaps they'll obey him so as not to lose their jobs. But in a crisis such structures cease to function. If this crisis has taught us anything it should be that the entire healthcare system must be depoliticised. The best thing would be for the system to become more professional. Then it could also respond to such serious threats as the coronavirus pandemic.”
Enjoy life to the utmost
The lockdown has made us more aware of what really matters, journalist Miranda Lysandrou writes in Politis:
“We have learned what an important asset freedom of movement is for us. But also how relaxed we can be in our home, less stressed by work processes and daily tasks. We have learned to prioritise the most important things we want to do during our only daily outing. That can be a useful exercise even after the lockdown: if I were allowed to leave the house just once today, if today was the last day of my life, what would I like to do? Then do it! You'll see how much satisfaction that brings.”
Building blocks for many new worlds
Writing in De Standaard, Bart Sturtewagen believes we have reached a unique turning point in history:
“This is our Dickens moment. Once again we are experiencing the best of times, but also the worst of times. 'It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness'. At this crossroads in human history, nothing has to remain as it is simply because it has always been that way. But there is also no guarantee that any other way will be better. The building blocks for many worlds lie in the vacuum in which we live today. It all depends on who starts building first, with what goal and with what convictions.”