The Pandemic, Stupid

 

“What you are we were, what we are you will be, as you see me so shall you be”. 

Dance Macabre

"The economy, stupid" was a slogan for Bill Clinton's presidential campaign in 1992. Coined by James Carville, the idea behind it was to anchor the focus of the campaign and remind the team that they had to get the message across in order to win the elections.

Throughout its history, humanity has suffered numerous plagues in different eras. The Black Plague scourged Eurasia and North Africa, peaking in Europe and killing up to 75 million people or more. The pestilence changed Europe permanently, and it's believed that 45-50% of the population died.

The plague changed the economic and social structure of feudal Europe, cheap labour was harder to come by, and the workers were able to charge higher fees, ownership of the land exchanged hands as the pandemic brought down noble and vassal alike.

I believe that the 21st century actually begins with Covid-19 and not in the year 2001. The first 19 years we lived the aftershock of the 20th century's Cold War, many of the conflicts, both economic and militarily, were the continuation or consequences of the superpowers' politics around the world. Neoliberalism had become the de facto ideology (though China's system challenges that) in the world, and many things that should not have been forgotten were lost. Amongst them, was the role of the state and society's neglect of the communal spirit.

The pandemic has exposed the cracks in the current system, driving most nations into recession,  loss of jobs and the closure of many companies.

Even though we live in an era were technology was believed to be infallible, the virus reminded us of our frailty and how we can never stop investing in research and bring back health care to the forefront of the international debate.

Even though evidence shows the devastating effects of the pandemic, a significant portion of the population has downplayed its importance or even denied its existence. Hundreds of videos in social media show people ignoring government recommendations, not keeping a safe distance and even questioning the efficiency of wearing a face mask.

Some argue that it is a hoax... there's little to be done about people like that. Such levels of scepticism and conspiracy theories are pathological, and there's no room for reason. However, the people I want to single out are the "Defenders of Freedom".

The notion of personal liberty is very ingrained in the zeitgeist of the United States and the United Kingdom. These freedoms are inviolable and above the needs of a community. For a healthy democracy to exist, personal liberties are essential; however, they need to be curtailed or sacrificed in periods of extreme conditions. Covid-19 is one of those periods, a disease that proves deadly to vulnerable groups and which is extremely contagious. Most of the infected survive or don't show symptoms; this is part of the reason why it's so dangerous and taken lightly.

Thirty-five million confirmed cases and more than one million deaths worldwide. If we add the margin of error in diagnosis, the number is probably higher.  But this not severe enough for some people, their freedom of movement or refusal to wear masks is more important than the health of fellow citizens. In the United Kingdom, the Tories approach has been lukewarm and confusing; the excuse being that they are a country of freedom. They were also a country of freedom during World War II, but personal liberties were curtailed. It was a war, a significant event, and sacrifices were needed for the greater good.

Covid-19 is also a major event, a history-changing event. It awakened us from a deep slumber and exhibited the weaknesses in our system. Things will never be the same, and the pandemic is not over yet.

I do not belong to one of the vulnerable groups (not yet), but many of my loved ones do. I have taken this very seriously and have acted responsibly for the good of the community. Many have survived Covid, and have then perished from the damage it caused them. Heartbreaking.

Things are not the same.

It´s no minor thing. It's a pandemic, stupid!