We are in unprecedented times .. for our time, anyway. We, who have become accustomed to living as 'I' see fit, and disregard anyone that does not fit 'my' way of thought ... we, as a globe, have been brought to our knees. Within a month, or less, an international pandemic has become the reality for everyone, except Antarctica (at this time). Our world will never be what it once was. The thing is, this is not the first world pandemic and not the first time everything has come to a halt. It's just the first time in about 100 years. And what a wake-up call it is!
I should have started to document this when I first heard about 'something' in China. In December 2019. Then, I remember hearing something in the new year about a cruise ship that was infected. And then the reports throughout the world became more frequent. China, Italy, Iran, and now Switzerland all are in dire straights. And for a long time, the USA was reporting "nothing to see here!" ... and now they've had the rug pulled out from under them as well. Earlier this month, the WHO declared this as a world wide pandemic - once the "coronavirus", now has an official name - COVID-19. Not 'Dr. Tripps' level, but definitely making its mark and changing the world. We are all affected by it. We are all on alert.
I should have tracked this from when it started in China, to the next time I heard about it was on a cruise ship, and then to North America. Maybe because I, like so many others, thought, "This isn't as bad as the common flu. Many more people die from that than from this. What's the fuss?" Even though I dismissed it in the beginning, something bothered me that it was so strongly in the news. The common flu is far more contagious (spreads to more people) and kills far more people, but what this one had that the others did not was - it is new, and no one has any antibodies for it, and there is no vaccine and it lasts longer in the environment. So, if we dismiss it (as so many have, as did I), it actually is spreading so much more and very quickly. And, in small ways, it's much more serious.
The WHO (World Health Organization) declared it a world pandemic on March 11th. Eleven days ago. And since then, it has spread like wild-fire, especially in places that ignored the announcement and continued life as usual. About 10 days ago, we (as in Canada, and Alberta) started shutting down. At first, there were a few places still open - malls, theatres, restaurants. But now, all is shut down to 'flatten the curve' - to spread out the diagnoses by restricting gatherings. My agency is still open because it is considered a 'necessary service' for people in need, so I still go to work. I am alone, for the most part, and it is strange when people come in, with their child, and behave like nothing is different ... when they disregard our instructions, from the agency as well as from the government. It reminds me of me ... and I'm not that any more. As of today, the report I heard said worldwide, more than 307,000 people have now contracted the novel corona-virus and at least 12,944 have died. In Canada, there are now more than 1,400 confirmed cases, and at least 20 deaths. In Alberta: 259 (33 new from yesterday) and 1 death. Schools are now closed in most of the country, restaurants and bars mostly open only for take-out service, and movie theatres, concert halls, and other public gathering spaces locked up. The highway I take to and from work has about 20% of the traffic it had before this. And now ... there's rumour of a second wave beginning.
A few months ago, somewhere last summer or just into fall, I came up with an idea for my novel ... a pandemic. But one that was a 2-parter. The first part was ... like a flu. Something that infected many people but had a very low death rate. Something that most people didn't even realize they had. And then there was a 2nd coming ... something about 6 months to a year after, that came back with a vengeance and had a 100% death rate for whoever had contacted it before. This would mean that only those who never caught it the first time would become immune. And now ... I wonder if there was any truth in that thought.
I will come back in a few days and reflect on any changes. At this point, I am still at work, but I live a pretty isolated life to begin with. It is easy to go from moment to moment with no contact with anyone else. Thank goodness for social media and the internet! I wonder how many days I will be at work this coming week. And ... there is a sense of irony that this is all happening during Lent! a time of penitential preparation for rebirth. There is an interesting message in that! Perhaps for the next reflection.
From Foreign Policy publication, Article on After the Pandemic a few notes:
How the World Will Look After the Pandemic:
"Just as this disease has shattered lives, disrupted markets and exposed the competence (or lack thereof) of governments, it will lead to permanent shifts in political and economic power in ways that will become apparent only later. Foreign Policy asked 12 leading thinkers from around the world to weigh in with their predictions for the global order after the pandemic." Check the linked article as there is more information under each point.
These include:
1. A world less open, prosperous, and free
2. End of globalization as we know it
3. More China-centric globalization
4. Democracies will come out of their shell
5. Lower profits but more stability
6. Serve a useful purpose - learn from other countries, for those that took action swiftly seem to be 'winning' now
7. American power will need a new strategy
8. History of COVID-19 will be written by the victors
9. Dramatic changes in global capitalism
10. Difficulty in recovery will lead to weakened states as they fail to deal with it
11. USA has failed the leadership test - will no longer be seen as a global leader.
12. In every country, we see the power of the human spirit.
