Thoughts of solidarity in a time of crisis
By Lene Lind Pedersen, volunteer and board member of 100% for the Children
When Mette Frederiksen and the government held the first serious press conference regarding Corona on 11 March and announced that Denmark would partially shut down, we were all put to the test...
It's a completely surreal situation we're in - as the whole world is - and I've personally given it a lot of thought and listened to the thoughts, knowledge and opinions of many others in the process. I don't know if I've become much wiser or more clarified in relation to Corona, infection pressure and virology in general over the past two months, but there are some important issues that I think this crisis has given rise to focus on.
I think it suits us Danes to have embraced the concept of 'community spirit'.
I think it suits us Danes to have embraced the concept of 'community spirit'. We have looked after the elderly, the weak and there has been a huge support for the country's healthcare professionals, who must continue to be ready to take care of those who fall ill.
For many in Denmark, this 'community spirit' has meant that we have had to distance ourselves from many of the people we normally socialise with and care about. We have had to keep physical distance and be #together everywhere, as it has been said and hashtagged so many times.
For many, the corona crisis has meant an absence of presence, and yet an increased awareness of community and solidarity - because we haven't necessarily had to keep social Distance! It's very clear to me that I miss what I can't have and that I can't wait to get it back.
Not just a health crisis
For me and for most people, this crisis is about more than what's going on in our own little duck pond. Sure, there is a huge pressure on growth and businesses, and it is in every way incredibly sad with the losses that Corona has caused. But we have a solid society and a professionally strong and adaptable healthcare system that is ready to catch us. Unfortunately, this is not the case everywhere.
Over the past few months, I've been thinking a lot about the partner organisations that 100% for the Children collaborates with in Kenya and Ghana. Thinking about the vulnerable children and families who don't have the same safety net that we have here at home. I've thought about people living in refugee camps and people in slum areas around the world, where there are poor conditions and poor sanitation. Places where it will be almost impossible to stop chains of infection and where many may already be in poor health.
At home, but especially in the rest of the world, we realise that this is not just a health crisis, but also a social crisis. A crisis that emphasises the great inequality in the world.
At home, but especially in the rest of the world, we realise that this is not just a health crisis, but also a social crisis. A crisis that emphasises the great inequality in the world.
World mind
In Denmark, we show the aforementioned 'community spirit', but inspired by Médecins Sans Frontières, I would strongly urge that we also show 'world spirit'.
The strongest shoulders often have the most resources and the best conditions to carry the most - we can do this individually. In the same way, I also think that as a small, yet proud and strong nation, we should stand back and offer our shoulders to the developing countries that need support.
We must remember not only to talk about community and solidarity on 1 May. It is not only on the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Denmark that we must stand together and remember the historical horrors of World War II. We must remember to be aware of current unrest in the world. We need to consider the importance of presence, community, social security, health, solidarity and global interdependence.
We must remember to not only show 'worldliness' in a time of crisis, but remember to do so at all times.