These days, it seems like all you get to read about is the coronavirus pandemic. It is spreading like wildfire and the number of new cases each day is already way past alarming rates.

At this point, billions of people have been affected by this outbreak. Some directly and others indirectly. If it is not the health thing, then it is the financial side of things that have been troubling people.

There is also a lot of fear and uncertainty about the future once the world overcomes this and that is quite understandable. One can only hope that everything goes back to normal and people can finally breathe easy.

Speaking of breathing easy, a number of people on social media have pointed out that nature has been healing due to the reduction of human activity on the planet. In fact, even animals have started venturing out into human territory, reclaiming their land of sorts.

Are We, Humans, The Virus?

I have been seeing more and more social media posts lately that have been comparing the state of air and rivers from before to what they are now in many cities of the world. In some of the photos, the difference is quite obvious.

It is quite obvious that reduced human activity is having a good impact on the planet. It is stuff like this that make you think. Of course, you don't want anyone to suffer and everyone to be happy and healthy again, but as far as the planet is concerned, we are indeed wreaking havoc on it.

Think from the perspective of an alien race. They would judge our impact in an unbiased manner and would conclude that it is us humans that are the virus for the planet. Our activities have resulted in the pollution of air, water and land. We have caused the extinction of many animals and plant species.

We cut down forests upon forests for our use (and misuse). We exploit resources rampantly causing even more damage to the environment. Our activities have even started raising global temperatures. Also, even though hotly debated, I believe that it is us that have caused climates to change as well. We sure have had a damaging impact on the very place we live. That sounds eerily similar to what a virus does.

I hope we can take away a lot of lessons from our current crisis and become more mindful of our activities going forward. It is possible to live in a sustainable manner. If embraced, that will do all sorts of good for us as well as the planet!