day eighty-one - hindsight
Screen capture from The World Economic Forum interactive OCVID-19 charts - 20th of March, 2020
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/03/covid19-coronavirus-countries-infection-trajectory/
They say you can’t predict the future, that hindsight is 20:20, and that we should learn from the past. As Australia becomes gripped by coronavirus, we are in a unique position where we can both see the effects on countries and populations that are further ahead in this pandemic than we are, and have the chance to learn from our modern history, inform ourselves, and make better judgements. Also, as an island, albeit a bloody big one, we can have policies and measures in place that are not affected by neighbouring countries.
Are those who are self-isolating over-reacting? Are they acting in fear? Are they being selfish? Are the measures of social-distancing too much? Are the people who are still going out being brave, foolish or endangering others? Are we making informed, ethical decisions?
And then there’s the people who cannot afford not to work, people living week to week, gig to gig, businesses already struggling and on the brink, and the unemployed or homeless. The economic downturn as a result of either forced closures or diminished foot traffic is a real concern, and many are seeing no other option than to stay open.
These questions would be far harder to answer if we weren’t able to look back and see what is happening in other countries in the current outbreak, or if we couldn’t see the history of the success of social-distancing in previous pandemics like the Spanish Flu. It would be far harder if there wasn’t advice and recommendations coming in from the real world leaders in virology, immunology, epidemiology, and public health.
So, I’m self-isolating. It’d hard, but the alternatives are unfathomable. Again, selfishly, I have enough problems and mental anguish to deal with without the retrospective guilt resulting from of a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude that will add to the potential devastation at our doorstep.
Here’s another chart (admittedly a day old), that really tracks the curves. So far, we’re not tracking that well. More needs to be done. More seemingly over the top decisions and actions need to be made.
My hope is that is all seems like an over-reaction; That it seems like the few who didn’t self-isolate were right. If that happens, then we will have all done our part. It’s not too late… but we’re damn close.
I’m going to go wash my hands.
Kilt of the day - Black Watch Hybrid Utility Kilt
Tongue in cheek Soundtracks of the day - It’s the end of the world as we know it - R.E.M.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA_CndlBu0g
The Eve of War - Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of the War of the Worlds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YwFvmnbj3E
Link of the day - World Health Organisation Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 interactive map
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/685d0ace521648f8a5beeeee1b9125cd
