By Andros Karagiannis *
The corona pandemic has forced people to be more careful and take the necessary measures to reduce the spread. Several countries have implemented strict austerity measures in time, others with delays, as they did not expect the virus to spread so quickly.
In Cyprus, the majority of the world has complied with the instructions of experts and the relevant decrees, with the exception of some exceptions. The positive thing we have learned from this experience is the need to rethink past tactics and remember old habits.
In this article we will talk about our experience in small municipalities or "neighborhoods", as some people like to call us, and we will deal with the really lively neighborhoods, where life takes place behind the wall that surrounds the yards and the houses of each one.
Undoubtedly, the restriction of children at home with their parents has strengthened the child-parent relationship, since as parents we spent more time with our children, we joked, we played, we laughed, we shouted, something we probably didn't do before due to lack of time. . Our children got to know the creative side of life, as they painted every day, helped with household chores, did their favorite hobby, read books or looked at albums with photo collections, took initiatives and responsibilities. The traditional children's houses and small shops that we all built during our childhood also came to the fore.
Certainly many children have spent many hours in front of the screens, but advances in technology have made us unable to resist this great desire, which, unfortunately, can become a bad habit and, at worst, addiction.
However, let's keep the positives from the use of modern technology, since the homework was done through electronic messages and texts on the computer or on the phone. Several grandparents talked to their grandchildren on the phone every day, taking advantage of the use of the camera, while many of us learned to communicate and meet by phone. The daily program at home included music that we downloaded from the internet or nice movies for the whole family. But the most important advantage of using modern technology is the processing and payment of bills and online shopping.
At the same time, the courtyards of the neighborhoods were flooded with voices and children's smiles. Many of us started talking to our neighbors again, even remotely, and socializing. Through the neighborhoods, the value of maintaining good neighborly relations has been seen, since in difficult times, people will need the help of a neighbor. Now we have learned exactly what it means to give and take, since in many neighborhoods housewives and especially young couples, exchanged products for the daily meal, but also traditional recipes. Sweets, fruits and vegetables from home gardens and family orchards were the main products of supply and return. We also learned that the act of offering a piece of sweets to a neighbor and that he reciprocates with something similar, which he has just made, means that we have humanity inside us.
We hope that we do not experience such forced restrictions again, but I am very afraid that with the speed with which we are destroying the environment, the viruses will reappear. So let's keep the positives out of this ordeal and keep caring for our neighbor, neighbor and fellow human being, because the good man in trouble shows his true self. Generally speaking, we have shown that as a small country we have several traditional human values, which are based on the strong foundations of the generosity of each of us individually.
* Andros G. Karagiannis, Mayor of Deryneia