There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Covid-19 is a scourge on the planet, killing so many, causing so much chaos and damaging economies and healthcare systems.

But out of this, there were opportunities to change for the better. Alas, the question arises, have we learnt anything?

The country has a chance to partially hit the reset button. A chance to review practices which could not be described as anything less than greedy, selfish and self-harming.

This newspaper has written countless editorials over the years relating to transport and construction, but maybe now is the time when people will listen. Over the past months, people flocked to the countryside to try and avoid other people yet at the same time get out of the house. They were met… by groups of other people. Why is it that, when out on a Saturday in the countryside, it is so very difficult to find a spot where one can be alone?

It’s a simple answer, as Malta’s built up areas substituted trees for stone, and the Planning Authority seems to be more than happy to permit developments benefitting a few while telling all other residents to suck it up.

The ever growing concrete jungle means little to no green areas in towns and cities, which means that everyone flocks to the little bit of countryside we have left.

Malta is overpopulated, and in recent years the economy was seemingly based on ever increasing the workforce, thus meaning further development. Is this good for the economy… probably… but is it good for our lifestyles, our health, our mental state… probably not. An economy that relies on ever increasing the workforce in a country of limited size is madness.

Looking at the speeding incidents over the past week, and the reckless driving on the roads witnessed the past months. Could this be due to the pentup driver rage from years upon years of being stuck in slow moving traffic? There should be a study to see if there is any link.

Malta’s roads were full to capacity before Covid-19 hit, and when the amount of drivers eased up, many were happy to be able to go out and drive, rather than crawl.

And what about transport? Road construction is everywhere, traffic is still a problem, we seem to be going back to pre-covid norms. But, were we happy? Were we happy being stuck in traffic? Has the government taken the opportunity of fewer cars on the road to study possible alternative transport methods more in depth in order to give hope that the traffic situation might one day be fixed? Or was the government focused on greed and purely an economical surplus at the cost of all else?

There is still a chance to put pressure on the government and force the change the country needs. To build a more environmentally friendly economy, one which targets high-end jobs and does not depend as much on construction. Malta is a small country and it has limitations. Let’s not ruin what’s left of our environment to satisfy the pockets of some who have the money, power and influence to overshadow the rest.

The government must push for more green areas in localities, more stringent planning policies that do not sacrifice the happiness of residents for the greed of a few, and push for more efficient mass transport systems. Climate change is a threat, and damaging the environment will have far more harmful effects than Covid-19 ever had.