Easter Bunnies, Tooth Fairies Essential Workers: Jacinda Ardern Declares

Coronavirus pandemic has so far claimed 82,000 lives worldwide, infecting over 1.43 million people. The rate at which numbers are changing is quite intimidating. In order to stay safe from COVID-19 and to flatten the curve, people have been asked to practice social distancing and refrain from stepping out of their homes as much as possible. This has dampened spirits in many parts of the world, with the festival of Easter being just around the corner. Children are especially feeling the let down since Easter egg hunts around the neighbourhood don't seem to be on the cards. Easter Bunnies who bring eggs and gifts to children may be missing from action. Who will deliver chocolates and treats to them at midnight? Will the tooth fairy come around to collect their fallen teeth and keep money under their pillow? Or are they social distancing as well? These are some very important questions to be bothering numerous kids.

You’ll be pleased to know that we do consider both the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny to be essential workers. - Jacinda Ardern

Taking note of the dilemma of the little citizens in her country, Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, has declared Easter bunnies and tooth fairies to essential workers. While the country is under lockdown with only essential services running, Jacinda Ardern said in a conference, “You’ll be pleased to know that we do consider both the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny to be essential workers. But as you can imagine, at this time they’re going to be potentially quite busy at home with their families as well and their own bunnies.” Ardern added, “I say to the children of New Zealand, if the Easter Bunnies don’t make it to your household, we have to understand that it’s a bit difficult at the moment for the bunny to perhaps get everywhere.”

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Further, to not spoil the festive mood of children, Jacinda suggested that families can create an Easter egg hunt for the children in their neighborhoods by hanging the images of eggs and bunnies on their windows.

Protect children from the trauma, relish in small happiness

What Ardern said clearly shows how important certain things are for happy living, even though they are as trivial as fairy tales, bedtime stories or festivals. Life cannot be only about waking up, getting ready and hitting the roads for work or school. The current situation has totally made life monotonous like never before. This standstill is only getting worse with the increasing danger and crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So it is important that we take a break, boost ourselves and hope for a better tomorrow. Because sulking and being engulfed in dreading over uncertainties and challenges that the pandemic has brought is not going to help. Especially children’s fragile and innocent minds need to be shielded from the darkness of the curfews and fear of death. Later, when they look back to cherish the moments of their childhood, it should not be a tale of trauma and fear that they had to overcome.

Finding the silver lining together

True, the times are tough and we need to be careful as much as possible. Even then, let’s weave moments and ways to create new memories, to smile together and keep our spirits up. As families, neighbours and communities, let us support each other, decorate our walls play board games, watch movies, organise small feasts and fill the emptiness with these little moments of happiness. Let us remember that even if the outside world stands cancelled, we have our family, culture and our own selves and that is more than sufficient to bring us joy.

If the Easter Bunnies and tooth fairies cannot come, let us become one and spread some smiles and positivity. We are all in this together and we have to get over this together.

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This lockdown has given us an opportunity to connect with our families and culture for which we always run out of time. If the Easter Bunnies and tooth fairies cannot come, let us become one and spread some smiles and positivity. We are all in this together and we have to get over this together. These acts of love and compassion are expedient to look for the silver linings and keep up the hope that this too will pass.

Image Credit: CNBC

The views expressed are the author's own.