Summer’20

by Andreia Barata

With this Covid pandemic, there are things that have been positive, not all has been bad.

The first lesson we must learn is that we should be more concerned about each other and not just think of ourselves. How often do people ask us for help and we say no, sometimes just out of selfishness.

We must value the special moments we live; we are always under constant stress and we do not realize that we must enjoy the moments with our family and friends, we are always running. There is no time to enjoy a beautiful sunset with friends; the sea makes us calm. Also on the bright side, with this isolation, we are seeing a decrease in the amount of environmental and noise pollution in large cities.

Another issue we should be more concerned about is our physical and mental health. How many times do we stop going to the doctor or the gym? We end up not valuing what we feel because we don’t have time, but one day it may be too late. Also, you can work a lot from your home. Many times, instead of going to the office, walking, and driving in a constant rush, you can stay at home and have a calmer day.

Another lesson we can learn is to always protect ourselves with daily hygiene routines, so we don’t get this virus or any other. And we should have a healthier diet. Those who eat out every day in restaurants, even if they eat healthy food, are never as healthy as when they eat homemade food.

by Vitalina Macedo

For many people, it is impossible to live without computers or cellphones. Actually, these tools are essentials in our life. If you asked me: “Could people live without these machines?” I would answer, “yes, it is possible”. However, I would also tell you that people live better when they use computers and cellphones. Their lives are easier and more interesting.

When I was a child, my family did not have a cellphone nor any other phone in our home. And I remember that it was quite difficult because we were always going to our neighbor’s house to make a call. Now, with cellphones, we can call anyone at any time. And even better, today, we can use our cellphones to do many more things, because with android systems we can use very useful apps.

I only got my first cellphone when I was twelve years old. Sometimes, I think that I am “closed-minded”, because nowadays I think that children get cellphones when they are too young. Most of them do not have enough responsibility to use a cellphone and they are more vulnerable.

Computers are also important for our times. I cannot imagine our days without computers. I use a computer for nine or more hours per day. This machine is essential in my work and my life. Currently, with computers, we are more efficient because we can do some things faster than without computers.

Nowadays, with new technology, with a simple click, we are able to obtain the information that we need.
However, I also think that, sometimes, we should do a “detox” from technology, and try to live like people did in the past, without computers or cellphones. It also is important to breathe fresh air, to speak with people “in person” and take advantage of the time available with family and friends.

by Alexandra

What can we learn from this situation?

I think the expression “every cloud has a silver lining” means that everything has a positive part, namely the cloud can be very dark but there is always light around the corner, which means that something good is coming. This expression is applicable to this pandemic situation that all of us are living.

With this confinement, we learn new ways to live. We learn that our home can be the best place to stay safe with our family, we learn how to be present at work remotely. We teach our parents how to use a smartphone and make video calls through WhatsApp.

We learn valuable little things like having a coffee on the beach, going to the restaurant, the hairdresser, having dinner with family and friends. And I think that it’s a life lesson. We relearn how to help others. We learn that we need to be more like friends with our planet.

Since this pandemic started, the planet is healthier, and even the ozone hole is “closing”.
Maybe the world needed this opportunity to stop.

by Marta Rita

The computer and the cellphone are a part of my entire day, so it’s hard to imagine my life without them. The computer I use mostly for work, but the cellphone is my alarm clock, my appointment book, and the main way for me to communicate with my family and friends. Sometimes I use the computer to play Sims and watch Netflix, but I could live without that because most of the things I do on the computer, I can now do on my cellphone.

I could live without my cellphone only for a few days and only if I were with the most important people in my life. At this time, I could watch TV or read a newspaper to stay informed about what is happening in the world. I don’t consider myself addicted to my cellphone, but I like to follow some pages on social networks, about travel, food, fashion, and famous people. It’s a way to pass the time.

I think my life without a cellphone would be more full of books and meeting friends in the cafe to catch up!

by Ana Maria Pinto

Nowadays, we are living in a difficult situation. Why? The global economy has been forced to close because of this plague. What are some consequences? Bad quality of life, corporations are closing and the people are waiting for their old way of life that probably will not come so soon.

But in this situation, we can find positives aspects. The first one is: the planet is breathing again without so much pollution and the people can breathe better than they could the last year. The media and the internet are full of images or pictures that prove this fact. We can say that these last months have compensated for a little bit of the pollution that we cause. My hope is that countries can see other solutions like working from home and reduce the need to travel to work because at some jobs it is possible to work remotely.

The second point is: for the first time in the city people can hear the sounds of birds or other animals and see a few of them walking in the streets. For me, this is a positive point because it reminds us that there are other living beings on the planet and we are constantly doing harm to them.

Portugal can learn an important lesson. We are a country that doesn’t believe in the advantages of the internet. But Portugal can learn and see that it’s possible to use technology to work or go shopping. If Portugal changes, the level of pollution will decrease and this will help improve the health of the Portuguese people.

In my point of view, I don’t believe that this situation will change the world. That can change only until the vaccine appears. After that, the people will return to the old customs and the pollution will return.