This archive report was first published on 23 May 2020.
As the world grapples with the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, many people are finding it difficult to cope with the new reality. But for some, the struggles are even more intense.
Take Angela, a single mother from Gateshead, UK, who is living with autism. She has been forced to adapt to a new way of life, one that is filled with anxiety and stress.
Angela's son, Kelvin, is autistic and has a strict routine that he must follow. But with the pandemic, even the smallest things can trigger anxiety attacks. 'When he starts screaming and punching himself, it is because he is anxious,' Angela said.
Angela has been forced to find new ways to cope with the stress of living with autism during the pandemic. She has set up a self-help group, Auntie Mates, for teenagers and adults living with autism.
But Angela's story is not unique. Many people are struggling to cope with the added stress of the pandemic, and it's taking a toll on their mental health. In the past three weeks alone, over 503,000 people in the UK contacted the Zero Suicide Alliance for online training that aims to prevent suicide.
As the pandemic continues to spread, it's essential that we are understanding and supportive of those who are struggling. Angela's message is clear: 'I'm asking people to be understanding.'
And it's not just people with autism who are struggling. The pandemic has brought many challenges, and it's essential that we are supporting each other through this difficult time.
On a lighter note, a new security device has been introduced in South Africa to prevent car thefts. The device is a horn that imitates gunfire, and it's been shown to be effective in scaring off would-be thieves.
But as we look to the future, one expert is predicting that robots will be raising our children by 2050. Dr Michelle Tempest, an expert in Artificial Intelligence, believes that 'upbringing centres' will use AI to feed, educate and entertain children.
And it's not just robots that are changing the way we live. The pandemic has taught us that everything around us is temporary, and that our own home is what keeps us safe.
