World Voice Day: A valuable human asset during a pandemic |17 April 2020
Image source: entnet.org
World Voice Day is observed every year on April 16, to bring focus on the importance of the voice and the role it plays in our lives.
This year, in commemoration, Seychelles NATION spoke to a few members of the public in Seychelles, to learn why the voice is valuable to them personally during the current pandemic.
Connecting with family and friends
Being able to speak over the phone to family members who we don’t live with, like parents, is very important right now during this difficult time when we need to stay at our respective homes. Our voices can bring assurances to our loved ones that we are well despite our current circumstances. It brings joy and calmness for us as well to know that our loved ones are coping well, staying healthy. Our voices can convey more than just what is being said; the familiarity of our voices, the unique sounds which allow our loved ones to quickly identify us without seeing our faces, is one of the most important human assets we have right now.
Staying updated & being entertained
It is particularly important to hear the voices of the media right now, including those on the radio, television and on social media. These media channels bring us information that we need to keep ourselves updated on current events, locally and worldwide. It is especially important during this pandemic that we are able to learn about new developments, and to gain knowledge about this virus that the entire world is still learning about to help us reduce our risks of catching it.
Learning virtually
Being able to learn a new skill at home through online videos, programmes and podcasts where it is not otherwise possible, especially now when we are confined to our homes and have a lot of spare time, as it allows us to keep learning and increase our skills set. We can come out of this pandemic more knowledgeable and with new skills. We can, for example, take time to learn a new language, how to cook / bake, how to play music, how to stay fit, and all of these can now be learnt online through videos on various channels like YouTube. Many of these videos are free as well. The important thing here with the use of voice is that the videos talk us through these subjects and how to do things – this makes the communication process much easier.
Entertainment
The human voice through things like the radio, television or via the internet can bring relief, escape for some of us from heightened anxiety and depression through the likes of jokes, music, cartoons, movies, and documentaries. Music for instance is something that most of us consume from time to time as a way to relax and even deal with emotions. Most songs are lyrical and so the human voice plays a central part in the songs. While we process what this pandemic is doing to the entire world and try to cope with it, it’s important that through entertainment, we still access a way to find relief from any negativity we are experiencing and to continue finding joy in our lives.
F.P.