Covid-19 creates a new you

Dubai - Whatever the role you have assumed in this exhausting crisis, it is an insightful thought that this is who you really are.

These past few weeks have brought a tsunami of change. We are just not the same people...no, we are not.

In every friend and family cluster, including the audio-visual network, have you noticed how we have all assumed certain roles and bring to bear a certain influence on the rest? For example, in our home I am the gloomy one finding flaws in any decision. No, no, no, let's not do this yet, wait and see, the great ditherer. My wife is the determined one, in that 'this shall not deter us' state of mind, we will make chocolate brownies. My older daughter is the practical one, 'no it is not a waste, yes we do need it', 'stop carping' and 'what does everyone want for dinner'. The younger one lives 20 minutes away and is unwavering in her resolve not to meet, no way and is also our resident medical expert. My son-in-law is the house statistician and news breaker, on the cutting edge of new developments.

I might be gloomy, but when the chips are down I do get a vote. Other families have other stereotypes. There is the one who breaks the rules and then there is the emotional one who incredibly gets drawn to heartbreaking stories and then insists on sharing them, a close cousin of a household member who is constantly floating on ether or burning up the wires. Some are fortunate to have the cheerful never-say-die person whose very presence brightens up a room. That positive impact some of us are fortunate to have and wish there were more of them.

Regrettably, some us show a mean and petty side when in adversity. We shut doors and don't even open a window. We judge and grumble and judge and indict because it makes us feel relevant.

Whatever the role you have assumed in this exhausting crisis, it is an insightful thought that this is who you really are. You just haven't had the opportunity to assert yourself, and now because of what can only be called unique circumstances you have come into your own. If it is a good dimension to your personality then don't stop.