As many as 2,088,861 cases of coronavirus infection have
been recorded around the world and at least 134,755 people have died, a
frightening new threat upending familiar routines, disrupting the global economy,
and endangering lives around the globe.
Governments around the world are in crisis mode, “waging
war” against the coronavirus on two fronts: containing the spread of the
pandemic through social distancing and mitigating the resulting economic
fallout.
But scientists long warned this might happen, but political
leaders mostly ignored them, so now must scramble to respond to a crisis they
could have prevented, or at least eased, had they acted sooner. For years, we
have been encouraged to be isolated, as in caring only about ourselves,
focusing only on our own well-being, which we are told is solely in our own
hands.
We have been encouraged to think of ourselves as islands,
our health, happiness and prosperity are independent of the larger community,
society or country, never mind the world. This way of thinking has naturally
led to constant arguments against having efficient and caring governments,
paying taxes, and public funding even for health and scientific research.
It is unfortunate that it takes something like COVID-19 to
convince us, hopefully once and for all, that as human beings, we can never be
independent of each other, and our health, well-being and prosperity is very
much in each other’s hands.
The curse of this coronavirus becomes a blessing for those
who would use this opportunity to be courageous. COVID-19 once again shows the
importance of our collective thinking and acting, of the importance of paying
taxes and a fair tax system, of good governments, of public funding and of
science and research.
It is not the corporations and the myth of trickle-down
economics that can save us from common threats, but good governments, public
health systems and collective support. With individual and collective
responsible spirit and actions, we can prevent the spread of the coronavirus
and eventually defeat this pandemic.
Twenty years from now, we will look back and say, “Thank
goodness for this coronavirus!” What we are witnessing is the beginning of a
complete and far-reaching restructuring of life, business and communication.
COVID-19 has removed 90 per cent of the vehicles from the
streets in a manner that no environmental activist could. It has removed 90 per
cent of the people from buses, trains and subways. What caught on as a
convenience has now become the only way business can be conducted during this
period of social distancing.
We are now talking about working from home. It is safe to
estimate that half the labour force can and is now working from home at some
level and to some extent. The big question is how entrenched will this practice
become post-coronavirus. This is as good
at time as any to think carefully about what our priorities should be in the
future.
COVID-19 gives us an opportunity to break away from business
as usual, As the crisis worsens, we’re going to
see historically marginalized and vulnerable communities, the sudden collapse
of our economy will exacerbate the historic lack of protections for housing,
healthcare, and basic needs that unequally impact poor people, as we look to
provide support in this crisis, and as we look to build back in the future, we
must center investments and strategies that address these inequities head on.
Once the crisis is over, we will hopefully awaken into a new
world, one where we can learn the far-reaching, long-term lessons. One where we can see the dangers that we
should have recognized a long time ago. One where we can understand the
implications of these dangers for the future of government policies. #StopCoronavirus
#Hope #Strength #StrongerTogether #Humanity #Resilient #SDG3 #SDGs #Generosity
#Goodness #courageous #humanityfirst #humanspirit #spreadlove #humankind
#spreadpositivity #bebold #poverty #humanityandinclusivity
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