With the Pandemic of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) being declared by the World Health Organisation, it has been a fascinating journey watching how we have reacted as human beings and as individual countries.
Driven by an extraordinarily insensitive, unfeeling and unaccountable media, in the UK at any rate, we have seen people frightened into believing that they are going to die, that their loved ones are going to die and that a 'killer' is on the loose. My partner and I have three elderly parents between us all over 80 and not in the prime of their health and undoubtedly they are at risk and have been for some time. Reading the shit in those headlines is not comforting, nor is it accurate.
Unlike some other countries, the UK has not responded quickly or decisively either to allay fears by putting in place initiatives and controls to inhibit the spread of the virus or to give any sense that advanced planning has taken place. There is a feeling among my circle that the lack of communications on plans have been a big disappointment when it comes to looking for leadership in difficult and challenging times. Indeed, major sporting bodies took the unilateral decision to ban public gatherings before the Government and it forced them to take action as we'll see in announcements shortly.
We've seen the best of people step up to the mark and our wonderful NHS are a prime example of front line staff putting themselves at risk for others. We've seen the worst of people - stockpiling food, panic buying when there is no need putting others at risk of not having essentials, hand cleaner and pain killers, fresh food and staples. Idiots all!
This is when we should see compassion, thoughts about others more vulnerable, those who are scared, frightened, lonely, old, ill. Let's hope that the lock-down gives people the time to look inwards, reflect, think about the wider implications to the economy, the country, their neighbourhood, their very way of life. Can we ever return to the way it was? Does this virus give us the opportunity to look forward to improvements in our society, better care of our environment, better care of ourselves, our hygiene, our attitude? A few might, everyone should.
So it's time to look to looking after ourselves, take care lovely people, use your time wisely.
Chat soon
Ta-ra
No comments:
Post a Comment