Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1234806
6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 APRIL 2020 OPINION "YOUR life's a joke, you're broke, your love life's DOA". OK, that's enough from the Friends theme song (I hope you inserted the ob- ligatory clapping). Hearing the opening lyrics for the umpteenth time it occurred to me that this could be the COVID-19 theme song. I'm sorry – too soon? Forgive me for sounding facetious at a time like this, but sometimes my brain needs to resort to dark humour as a cop- ing mechanism. I can only be weighed down by the relentless deluge of informa- tion on a daily basis for so long, before I have to switch off, and one way of switch- ing off for me includes satire, memes and jokes. One of my favourites this week, which still makes me laugh every time, is the Dolly Parton meme, "By the time this quarantine is over, y'all are going to be begging Joelene to take your man." All those couples trying hard not to kill one other during this enforced 24/7 together- ness, please raise your hands. The other hands-down winner of the Internet was Bis-Serjeta's article, ''On- ly wear a face mask if you're ugly'', says Chris Fearne' (for those who have been living under a rock, this is a satirical web- site, and no, Fearne never said that. It's a joke). The headline alone is brilliant as is the rest of the piece. I'm still laughing again as I type it. It perfectly encapsulates the primal need to find absurdity in the face of what is potentially a dangerous vi- rus which has killed so many. I believe it is crucial to find the humour in this situ- ation, because otherwise we will be con- sumed with despair. Personally, I need this kind of offbeat humour, the wack- ier the better, for my sanity. More and more I am realising that as much as our physical health and financial worries are of high concern, it is our mental health which is tottering on the edge and which is most at risk. And this is why I find myself watching lots of the soothingly familiar, much- loved episodes from my favourite sitcoms like Friends. In fact, sometimes it feels like we are living in one long episode with the six very different personality types popping up all over the place. Monica with her OCD and her desper- ate need to know every minutiae of what is happening (please note this is not to make light of anyone with this condition, because I know it is a very serious over- whelming anxiety). Joey with his flirty wink and laidback "How YOU doin'?" still living his life like it was 2019 (when we were blissfully una- ware of what 2020 would bring) and who still cannot understand why there's all this fuss. Rachel, the former spoilt little rich girl who lands with a resounding thud smack into reality, dismayed to discover how lit- tle a waitress actually earns and bursting into tears at the slightest setback. Ross, the academic, thinking everything can be answered by science, but not al- lowing for the unpredictability of human nature. Chandler, the sarcastic, corporate guy who still cannot believe he is now without a job (what was his job anyway?). And finally, loveable, hippy Phoebe, who goes around spreading sunshine and good vibes, convinced it will all be alright in the end. Me? I can easily fluctuate between all six characters in the space of one day. Ob- sessively disinfecting my groceries like Monica, as recommended, one minute, and feeling as cynical as Chandler the next, saying there's no point to all this, because we're all going to be infected anyway. I can read up on the science like Ross, digesting and processing it rational- ly, which helps to calm my anxieties. But then five minutes later I receive a mes- sage from someone who is desperate for information on a much more mundane and yet incredibly human level about an issue which is specific to them, and all the science in the world is not enough to con- sole them. I can wake up full of positive energy like the irrepressible Phoebe in the morning and by the late afternoon I am crying on my sofa, feeling sorry for myself like the spoilt Rachel. And yes, there are also days when I just want to be a Joey. Going around like nothing has changed and saying F…it, I'm not changing my life for some virus. To continue with the Friends analogy, I suppose that is what is going to help us get us through this; just holding on, propping each other up when we stum- ble and lifting each other's morale as the need arises while cracking a joke or two to break the tension. Mushy and corny as it sounds, "I'll be there for you" really is the only way. It is a complete turnaround from the selfish world we were used to living in, when it was every person for themselves and no one even knew who their neighbours were. Of course, there are still people determined to live like that in the middle of this crisis, not caring if others are worse off and not venturing to lend a helping hand, their own exist- ence being their only concern, but my in- ner Phoebe prefers to think that they are in the minority. When the constant moaners who can only find fault with everything start to get me down, I tend to focus my attention on those who are actually doing something constructive instead. There are so many examples. Those who have raised money to buy toiletries and food for the Hal-Far residents who are now under quarantine. Or those who have volunteered their time to man the various helplines. The Gozo Diocese has asked all religious organisa- tions for donations to buy a ventilator. The Malta Trust Foundation is providing food for those who cannot afford to buy groceries through its Food Aid Project. A number of NGOs are busy translating guidelines and directives into different languages to make sure the message gets out there to all communities. This is a battle which is being fought on many fronts so I find it extremely wea- risome and exasperating when FB posts turn into a lot of useless debate, without any real solutions. If a fraction of the time spent arguing with one another could be used for doing something tangible to help out, many issues could be resolved. It has been described as a war, and indeed, it is a war against an invisible enemy, and as happens in wartime, it tests our char- acters. It has also revealed what people's natures are truly like. There are those who have come out shining by turning adversity into something positive, such as those food outlets which are donat- ing food to health care workers. While some just complain and stamp their foot because they are "fed up at home", oth- ers keep asking, "tell me what can I do to help?" As I sit here writing this on Good Fri- day, I know that for many people, the fact that they cannot celebrate Holy Week has been a very poignant loss. Some of Mal- ta's most deep-rooted traditions which mark this important time in the Catho- lic calendar are nowhere to be seen, and Easter seems to have been 'cancelled'. But shouldn't the meaning of Easter really be demonstrated in the way we treat each other, not just now, but always? Shouldn't we bite our tongues about what we really feel about refugees, if we cannot say something which is decent? Can't we for just one minute appreciate that, while the government and the health authorities have made some mistakes, and yes even some downright bad deci- sions, they are all trying their hardest to do what is right for the country in a situ- ation for which there is no handbook, for which no one was prepared, and which each country is trying to handle accord- ing to its own unique needs and popula- tion? I doubt we will know which country "got it right" until six months or even one year from now, and until then everyone needs to take care of their OWN imme- diate family and see that they are obeying the directives. As we all enjoy our Easter virtually with our loved ones, and as figolli and Easter eggs are delivered on doorsteps for chil- dren to open with excitement (after the packaging has been duly disinfected of course) let us also remember to please cut each other some slack. Most of us are doing our best, and coping as best we can. As for me, I'm off to watch (yet again) the One Where Ross and Rachel Take a Break. Let's face it, when this is over, we're all going to need one. Wishing a Happy Easter to all our read- ers. Some of Malta's most deep-rooted traditions which mark this important time in the Catholic calendar are nowhere to be seen, and Easter seems to have been 'cancelled'. But shouldn't the meaning of Easter really be demonstrated in the way we treat each other, not just now, but always? Josanne Cassar No one told you life was going to be this way