PENNY LEBYANE,
“COVID -19 has shifted all of us to the core, especially in terms of how we do things daily. A new year symbolises new beginnings — but for now, our professional and personal plans are hanging in the air. I host a daily breakfast show with six members who had to start working remotely. I also had to figure out how I would host the show from my house. Without extra help, juggling work and kids has taken on a new meaning. As a freelancer in the creative industry, no work means more financial discipline. I’m doing my best to practise mindfulness and meditation so I can keep positive. As an active citizen and broadcaster, it is my duty to stay informed through reading up on the government’s pleas and supporting every action – I have made myself available for public service announcement recordings, as well as information dissemination on my personal and professional capacity, at no fee. I believe that my serving attitude and spirit will carry me through this challenging time.
“I won’t lie – the possibility of getting sick or having one of my family members catching COVID -19 scares and brings me to my wits’ end. And, how can I not be when we have seen the news reports on the number of lives that this virus has claimed so far? Not being able to do everyday things such as going to work, and out into social spaces, has been really difficult — and so has losing gigs as an artist. I am doing my part by staying at home, and advising people to take this pandemic seriously.
“My mother is an ICU nurse at a government hospital that was identified as a facility for those who have contracted COVID-19. I won’t lie – I’m beyond petrified for her and her colleagues who, under normal circumstances, already work under poor conditions. My beloved mother, resilient as ever, always reminds me that she took an oath to help people — something she swore she would do to the best of her ability. In my books, her ability to overcome her own fear is the epitome of altruism! My personal challenge has been keeping my mind uncontaminated, consuming enough info to know what’s happening in the world, while still maintaining a positive mindset. I sanitise my thoughts with daily meditation, accepting that life won’t be the same afterwards, and mourning all the lives lost as a result of the virus. The virus is weak and needs humans to move around, therefore it’s important that we adhere to the regulations set by our president! Now is the time for us to critically engage with what it means to be an active citizen!