A few months back I listened to this TEDx talk by Bill Gates, the title of the video “The next Outbreak? We are not ready”. At that time the video did not make much sense to me, but today the video is no less than prophetic.
I know over the past few weeks internet is flooded with information about COVID-19, CORONAVIRUS, Chinese Conspiracy and the apocalypse. This article is not about that and neither is it going to tell you how to wash your hands or the benefits of self-isolation. This article is about how COVID-19 has brought in front of us the fragility of human civilization and how over the last century our priorities have been totally misplaced. There are many aspects to this and I’ll try my best to convey my thoughts.
1. The environment I am tired of politicians trying to ignore the fact that Global warming is not real. Scientists have been warning us and telling us to correct our course for the last 30+ years and we have just blatantly ignored them. The issue we currently face is much better than the one we’ll be facing if we don’t take global warming seriously. We are way beyond the point of no return on Global warming and are still headed forward with coal-powered steam. Governments need to understand that how fragile we and everything is against the force of nature and we don’t want to end up on the wrong side of its wrath. COVID-19 is the gentlest of the slaps on every bureaucrat sitting on The Environment Law. I am no expert but if you think we are not the bad element just look outside and see what the absent humans mean for the environment.
2. Healthcare Systems The most obvious in this pandemic is the global healthcare crisis, from the lack of protective gears to the lack of life support systems and for that matter the overall lack of doctors in countries. Many Countries had the worst of COVID-19 because their healthcare systems collapsed. Looking at the GDP share of countries in their healthcare systems - India(1.28%), USA(17.9%),China (6.57%), Italy(8.8%), UK(9.6%), Russia(5.3%), Japan(10.9%). Many of these numbers are concerning and mostly all of them have failed against COVID-19. USA has the highest share of its GDP in Healthcare systems but still has struggled a lot. The amount of money countries have spent on military and firepower could have been put to a better use, not to say that those are not essential but a balance is what was required. Apart from these figures, the fact the many countries were slow to act knowing well what was headed towards them, it just points out how careless Governments can be when it comes to the health of the Country. The delay in mass testing could have prevented a lot of the loss. If a similar Economic slowdown was coming, experts would have created models and predictions and planned well ahead with full precautionary measures but when it comes to healthcare we have failed multiple times. Governments around the globe need to prioritize Health and this is a hard learnt lesson for many now.
3. Employment. The one thing that is most troubling is the fear of being without a job in these tough times. Not knowing when your next paycheck will come could cause paranoia for many. People who were employed but are now sitting at home fear that they might not be made for this long sick leave. Worse hit are the ones who were eating hand. The problem here is not the fact that we lack solutions but is in the inability of the countries to implement those. For some years now Universal Basic Income has been discussed and there is no better time to see that concept in action. People need monetary support in times like this when there is no way they can step out and work. Another issue is for the people employed, the fear among many employees is that this long Sick leave won’t be paid. Also, this was one of the reasons that people still went to office despite the outbreak. Many countries like Germany, Italy, UK and Japan have laws for paid sick leaves but many still don’t and during times of these pandemics, it becomes important to have sick leaves. Business around the globes are facing fall in their revenues and it will become difficult for them to pay their employees, we need governments to setup with relief packages and support them.
4. Economy The economy has never been this bad, global share markets are falling and we are hearing terms like a bear market. Many experts believe that the market can be revived and The economy will be back stronger but no one knows for sure. There is no denying the fact that we are facing the largest global market recession we have faced in a very long time and COVID-19 can take its due share for that. But as in everything, there is a lesson to be learnt here too. Economy started crashing not because of how dangerous this virus was, it started when people started panicking and caused mass hysteria. Here the governments had an important role to play in supporting the businesses and assuring them they are there for them. Also, one crucial lesson learnt here is the need for businesses to become self-independent. The need for countries to promote indigenous and local businesses and not depend on mass producers like China.
The world as we know it is changing and what matters is what it is becoming into, a place where we learnt nothing from this loss or make the necessary changes and be ready next time. Just like many other things we will get over this Pandemic too, stronger and better with many bitter lessons learnt.
All things aside the present concern for each and everyone should be the health and the safety of everyone and then maybe once this is over we can be prepared for the next time and just to paraphrase what Bill Gates said in the video “The next Outbreak? Are we ready?”
April 21st it is😁