I fear our short collective memory, our capacity to put hardships behind us and forget the lessons they taught us.

This pandemic has affected us all. It has claimed many lives and forever changed the lives of those who've lost someone. It's pushed those already isolated and vulnerable deeper into the shadows. It's taken away the livelihoods of many who could least afford it. It has disrupted 'normal' for us all, here and around the globe.

And in all this hardship has been revealed the deficiencies and downright toxic aspects of what we accepted as 'normal'. It has also reminded us of what really matters, of family and friends, of community and nature.

There's much talk of 'rebuilding better' and vision for how we might do so. I believe the impetus and clarity exists right now for this to be more than just words and ambition. However, I fear that as lockdown eases and we become better equipped to deal with the threat posed to public health, today's clarity will begin to blur and the lessons we have learned will fade. Our attention will turn again to economic growth by familiar means. Growth at the expense of the vulnerable and the environment. 

Perhaps one way to ensure this doesn't happen is to commemorate the day 'normal' was put on hold, the day lockdown began. That every year, on the 23 March, we collectively pause to reflect on the many tragedies of this crisis and the many tragedies of the how we were living our lives before it came along.

I don't wish to propose what such a commemoration might look like. I'm simply asking for its purpose to be considered by those with the power to make it happen.