To recall the pandemic, which spanned the years 2020 to 2023, I would say it officially subsided by the end of 2022. During that time, we were under strict lockdowns and isolated from family and close friends. It was a challenging period, marked by widespread job losses. If a job wasn’t deemed essential, it was shut down. Some transitioned to remote work, and classrooms adopted virtual learning. I experienced remote learning firsthand as a substitute teacher.
In our isolation, many people had to acquire new skills to manage day-to-day life. Families learned to cook, clean, and connect with those they were confined with. Basic self-care skills, like cutting hair, became essential. Women and men alike learned how to style their hair and manicure their nails. I, for instance, cut my son’s hair with clippers and kept my daughter’s and my hair in box braids. Others dusted off dormant skills, like sewing, which became invaluable as inflation rose and masks were in short supply. I utilized my sewing skills to expand my existing Shopify business. I transitioned from dropshipping to direct sales by making masks. Along with the government stimulus, these efforts ensured my family was supported, particularly when it came to keeping food on the table.

As I mentioned earlier, if businesses weren’t essential, they would be shut down. Social distancing became mandatory, with a six-foot rule enforced wherever we went. Masks were a daily requirement, and any hint of a sniffle sent us to the doctor for a COVID test, regardless of the result. Tragically, many didn’t survive the ordeal—lives were lost, families were broken, and children were left without parents. I pray we continue to move forward and do everything in our power to prevent another pandemic. Simple precautions, like washing hands, staying home when sick, wearing face coverings when necessary, and visiting primary care providers annually, can make a significant difference.

During the pandemic, we saw the rise of essential services. Delivery services, for example, became invaluable and operated at full capacity. We owe a debt of gratitude to those who risked their lives to ensure the world was fed. The shutdown of non-essential businesses left people without access to necessities, and lives were thrown into disarray. Confusion was widespread as the entire world faced this crisis together. Yet, as with any global catastrophe—be it a pandemic, earthquake, or tornado proved resilient. Humanity knows how to adapt, rebuild, and move forward. We are stronger than nature’s challenges, illnesses, and setbacks.

During the pandemic, I didn’t own a car and relied on public transportation, such as buses or simply walking. This meant hauling my family’s laundry to the nearest laundromat and figuring out how to grocery shop under challenging circumstances. Thankfully, some laundromats introduced delivery services. Customers could download an app, schedule services, and have their laundry picked up, washed by an attendant, and returned the next day. Grocery stores implemented similar services. For instance, Amazon Fresh, in partnership with Whole Foods, streamlined the process of ordering food online and having it delivered directly to homes. While I’m unsure when such services became available, they were fully operational during the pandemic. Deliveries were mostly contact-free, requiring me to track my order, wait for the driver to leave, and then retrieve my items. Despite the difficulties, I managed to order groceries at least two to three times a month, alternating between food and essential household and hygiene items.

Unfortunately, my family fell ill multiple times, but by the grace of the Almighty, we made it through. Reflecting on this time, I’m reminded of the everyday things we often take for granted. Could you manage without them during the next crisis? Consider the skills or habits you’ve gained since the pandemic. As the saying goes, “You never know what you are capable of doing unless you have to do it.”

Finally, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the essential workers who risked their lives daily to keep our communities healthy, care for the sick, keep grocery stores open, ensure deliveries continued, provide public transportation, maintain community safety, and guarantee our children’s education remain uninterrupted. Essential workers truly ROCK!

If you require food delivery services, try these two links to Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods