When the coronavirus pandemic first hit Wuhan in China, little did we know we would soon be battling it in Kenya. 

Then the first case was announced and the President announced a raft of measures the Government was taking, including shutting down schools to slow its spread. 

The pandemic has caused a lot of panic, not just in Kenya, but all over the world. Our lives have come to a standstill and suddenly we are conscious about our hygiene.

It has reminded us how fragile and fickle life is and how things can change in a moment. I know many of you had various plans for the coming days, but they have since been suspended.

We don’t know what lies ahead of us and are living one day at a time hoping for the best. This should be a reminder that we are mortal beings and our lives are not in our control.

At such times, we also realise how health is more important than wealth. There are things in life that money cannot buy or prevent.

Imagine one of the most prosperous continents, Europe has now become the epi-centre of this pandemic.

Opportune time

Because of this panic, a once hitherto, not popular product has suddenly become popular and the demand for it has caused it’s price to shoot up, the hand sanitisers.

Kenyans being Kenyans, there are those that have suddenly seen a business opportunity here and will be making hay while the pandemic persists. Others are selling fake drugs pretending to be vaccines against the virus.

Whereas I don’t approve of this, these guys have learned that times of disruption, panic, and crisis are actually moments of opportunity.

After all, doesn’t the Chinese word for danger depict these two things, crisis (panic) and opportunity? 

And so during this time of crisis, let us take the opportunity to reflect on what is really important in life. Let spouses take advantage of this “working from home” and “no social gatherings” season to catch up and reconnect with each other.

Who knows the one good thing that can come from this is a happier and stronger marriage and that way the two can remain one.