GLOBAL CORONA
The world has stopped and we watch as events unfold; Brexit and trade deals seem inconsequential whilst over-strained health systems, governments and communities around the world struggle to slow the pace of a pandemic.
Times like these require optimism. With most of our lives limited to the four walls around us (and a garden or balcony if you’re lucky) the nation is striving to stay optimistic. This is a good approach, but we all need to be realistic.
Unlike previous events which have gripped the world, Covid-19 will impact us all. You cannot simply turn a blind eye or move out of harm’s way. It’s not possible to just back the winning side; for the first time in our lifetime, we’re all on the same team. Without consideration for ideology, region or geopolitical lines, this indiscriminate virus has spread across the global landscape. Government policy has slipped from prevention to delay, and now we’re on damage control. But, are we considering the deeper impact this is having?
WORLD UNIFIED BUT PEOPLE ISOLATED
The impact of the Coronavirus has united us with a single common enemy and initiative.
An indiscriminate virus is spreading around the world and uniting us as victims. Unlike wars there is no element of choice, ideology or politics. You cannot simply opt out or choose to back the winning side.
The Coronavirus is indiscriminate and unlike WW2 there is
These are unknown waters
is the type of unity which sadly only tends to come around when truly terrible things happen.
OBVIOUS VICTIMS AND LOCAL STORIES
READ BETWEEN THE LINES AND KNOCK ON EFFECTS
And, despite this all happening on the global stage, it has become a very personal pandemic. It’s something which is going to
With our day to day activities growing smaller and more limited, it can be hard to think past your own four walls, or the lap
With lockdowns keeping us local and indoors, it seems to be taking place in our own little bubbles. It’s happening all around us, but, that
It’s impacting us all and we each have our own stories and experiences to tell. With lockdowns keeping us separated and at home, it gets harder and harder to relate with life outside of your four walls. As we have less interactions
Putting an interesting twist on this global situation is today’s technology: it allows us to stay more informed and aware than ever before. You can personally monitor the real-time number of cases in the UK, analyse how South Korea has flattened the curve or even join online debates on Sweden’s herd-immunity tactics. We know about the hardest-hit countries and the personal accounts of overworked hospital staff, we’ve seen the haunting images of deserted European cities and have felt uplifted watching the nation clap for our magnificent NHS workers.
Look at the screens, the papers or even outside your front door and you’ll see a landscape changed by the Coronavirus. But, despite this new level of coverage
whilst its impact more than apparent, the darker reality is there are far more victims than you might have considered.
This is one of the rare occasions when the world stands together in solidarity. But despite
Whilst the Coronavirus
slow the spread, save lives. Interestingly, whilst this is happening on a global scale, many of our lives have no gone inward, closed to the outside world
Few of us knew what to expect with a lockdown.
Two weeks into lockdown in the UK and it’s already hard to consider anything besides your immediate surroundings.
With every
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The immediate human impact of Covid-19 is obvious and severe. However, signs are already showing that the longer-term knock-on effects should be treated with diligence. Shops have shut, restaurants closed and flights grounded. Industries around the world are feeling the full force of this zoonotic virus. Financially-concerned citizens will have probably observed stocks and markets shudder, but, as usual, whilst cancelled dividends might just mean a slightly smaller holiday for those at one end of the spectrum, it can mean life or death down the end of the line.
There is one industry where this of paramount importance right now, and I’ll give you a clue: you’re wearing it right now. The clothes and textiles industry has been plunged by lockdown and closing shops. This is impacting the companies as a whole but with less demand there is less supply. For the clothing industry, this can impact some of the most vulnerable people in society.
Lotte Schuurman from the Fair Wear Foundation – a group focused on promoting ethical workers’ rights and practices in the garment world – has warned of the about the impacts in certain sections of the society.
Elephants and bear bile
Sweatshop workers
Homeless people
Foreign aid
Refugees
Prisons
Waste and recycling
