A soft, golden ray penetrated the isolated room, caressed the young child’s cheeks, and awakened the silence that was whispering on the void. The child opened their eyes slowly, looked around the room, and contemplated the beauty of the light that tickled, purely, the walls around them. They left their bed, walked towards the window, took a look at the empty and calm streets, then closed their eyes and listened to the birds that chirped innocently, they could feel the depth of the purity which enlightened a new morning and a new beginning, where silence was playing on the strings of life the melody of humanity.

Gently, the child’s family opened the door and entered the room:

-“How are you?” the mother asked, worried.

-“Don’t you feel bored in this isolated room, all by yourself?” the father interrogated.

The family kept their distance to protect themselves; they put the meal they brought with them and other necessities in the corner.

– “I am fighting, mom! I am trying my best, my hope will never die. I feel bored at times, but I cannot do anything about it. I kill boredom by writing. If I stay alive, I will publish a book about my experience with the COVID-19 pandemic, and who knows? It may help others.” the child replied.

– “That’s my lion!” the father affirmed.

– “Now, you should stay at home and make sure you apply the hygienic criteria for your safety. In this way, you will protect yourselves and others. We all know that unity makes strength, together, we can make it; we will conquer all obstacles!” the child advised.

– “Can’t we visit you?” the mother asked.

-“You should not, mom! It is for your own good. And don’t worry about me, I will fight until the end, there is always hope.” the young child said.

Tears rolled down the mother’s face, she tried not to show them, but her child could see them.

– “Mom, do not cry! If only I could hug you, but I can’t touch you. Know one thing: I will forever love you and everything will be okay.” the child insisted.

– “Take care of you!” the parents said.

-“Stay safe!” the child replied, bravely.

The parents left the room, closed the door after them, the young child took their pen and started writing another chapter.

In another room, a different story was told: the story of an old woman who was fighting COVID-19 with all strength. She was a great fighter!

She took a brush and started painting her canvas, the colors intertwined artistically showing the strong connection between the shapes she dimensioned amazingly, the lines that intersect wisely emphasized her state of mind, it was an abstract painting that told an untold truth: the one that vibrated in that woman’s room, the truth of fighting illness with courage, the truth that hope enlightened that woman’s heart constantly.

She felt the need to sleep, she recalled her old memories back when she sat around one table with her husband and children and talked about everything and nothing at the same time, when she did not think about anything and did not care that much about how things would happen in her life.

She had her husband with her, maybe not too close for his own security, but he was there for her. He knew that his wife could not sleep without listening to him telling her a bedtime story; she had in her that little girl that she used to be, that little girl who never grew up and who would always be there to entertain her.

He told her the usual story, made sure she had fallen asleep, then turned the lights off and left the room: the one where that woman’s heart kept beating, where hope was painted in a unique painting and where life moved on as it always did.

Since its beginning, humanity faced obstacles. The story of humanity had always been marked by triumphant successes that shaped the ongoing life of all of us. Today, the COVID-19 disease outbreak, has definitely made changes and had huge influences on the social life of humanity, especially the healthcare industry, which has also impacted the global economics of the world and may lead, in a possible way, to a historic crisis. Moreover, this pandemic has undoubtedly had big effects on the environment, with the fewer use of factories and the calmer activity of worldwide institutions. 

Today, united, we can fight COVID-19, as the young child and the old woman did, one at the morning and the other at night, one waking up and the other going to sleep: Hope does not have a specific time. Our heroes, with different ages, never lost hope and focused on taking in consideration the possible preventions to stand and fight the virus. They are us and we are them. We are one, we speak one language: Humanity! Let us take action together, from our homes, we can do a lot, because the power of words is limitless, we can write to spread awareness about this dangerous pandemic…

Together, by staying at home, we can fight COVID-19! We can make it!

 

Romayssae El Idrissi