The term, interesting times, supposedly originated as a Chinese curse, usually meaning that things are not going very well for us, as opposed to us experiencing interesting good times. China’s latest release has certainly resulted in large numbers of the world’s population running for cover. Not unlike the panic portrayed in movies such as Independence Day or Day of the Triffids. This is what the Coronavirus Impact looks like.
As of writing, almost 400,000 people have died due to Covid-19. This conjures up battlefield images of thousands of soldiers rushing down the hillside, with swords glinting in the sun, slaughtering the enemy, not some bug, so small that without specialist equipment, it remains unseen. Science fiction at its best.
The Coronavirus Impact has changed the World as we know it.
Africa however, has defied all the doomsday theorists. The vast continent, which is bigger than the US, China, India and most of Europe combined comprising 54 countries, has only had 5189 deaths. Sure, there is no Heathrow or Gatwick in central Africa bringing in thousands of visitors hourly, but many Africans live in unsanitary conditions and somehow have been spared of the disease. It is thought that Covid-19 does not like tropical climates or that the statistics are wrong.
The Coronavirus Impact – Initially panic reigned; some governments looked to the scientists for help while others simply made hideous political decisions and used their power trips to forcibly lock up their citizens, “for their own good”.
Millions of people lost their jobs overnight. If you were fortunate to live in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK and a few other countries, you will have received a portion of your income and some sort of guarantee that your job was secure at least for a short while. In the US, you would have received a once-off payment of $1200 and advice from a President who at one point suggested ingesting insecticide as a solution.
Online shopping became the norm with supermarkets offering employment to thousands of part-time workers. Airline pilots amongst others became delivery drivers. Pretty much a worldwide shake-up.
If you lived in South Africa, you would have experienced the harshest lockdown rules of any country. You were unable to purchase hot food. Not helpful if you were frontline medical staff heading home after a long shift. Alcohol and cigarette sales were banned. You were allowed 3 hours of exercise per day between 6 am to 9 am. If you stepped off the sidewalk onto the beach during your exercise, you were arrested. Draconian.
Black markets and rip off artists flourished. The prices of protection equipment skyrocketed. Cigarettes vendors appeared at traffic lights to help those craving for their hourly nicotine fix. Food parcels were stolen and sold to the highest bidder for political point-scoring.
In a nutshell, the world lost its marbles. Lockdown has begun to ease here and there, but mild panic still reigns, however. Shopkeepers are restricting the number of customers allowed in their store at any one time.
Most rules are ridiculous and way over the top, but some are reasonable. Then there is always the “COVID policeman”, generally a “Do-gooder” member of the public telling you off for going the wrong way up a supermarket aisle.
In the business world, everything changed. Working from home where possible became popular again, driven mainly by the desire to stay away from public transport and hide from the bug. People found different ways of doing things and firms began changing direction and reinvented themselves.
I believe nothing will change. I think we, as a society, will slowly slide back into what was previously considered the norm. Individuals may change and look at life differently, particularly those who experienced tragedy and possibly lost a loved one.
It remains to be seen what the Coronavirus Impact will be in the long run. I believe that we will continue in our usual selfish, don’t give a damn attitude towards slow self-destruction.
Check out the previous posts about Coronavirus Updates here.
Thank you for this insightful post. We in Africa are also puzzled as to why the virus that swept across Europe didn’t descend on us and decimate our numbers. Viva high UV levels! Or viva African heat! Or viva HIV and TB medicines! None of us know is any of those made the difference. Keep writing Bally Traveler