At this time
of a global pandemic, an event that would have seemed incomprehensible at the
beginning of this year, looking beyond our personal lockdown bubble for some
small glimmer of hope is for many a natural response, a need for reassurance
that all will return to normal. It appears as if this will be the case for some
time yet, as the likelihood of a vaccine becoming publicly available anytime
soon appears to be nil. Looking at what the future of a world post coronavirus
outbreak might be like raises many questions, chief of which seems to be: will
it even be possible to return to normal? Whether the answer to this question inspires
hope or fear, it is a question we must confront if we are to adequately prepare
ourselves.
As it stands
at time of writing, the US and Europe have the highest number of cases and
consequently the largest current death toll. China, where the outbreak began,
is continuing to deal with the disease, yet it appears to have now passed its
peak and the Chinese government are beginning to reap the surprising benefits
of this initial disaster. There is evidence that their strict lockdown policy
has worked and its healthcare workers are now taking their experience of the
illness and its treatment to Europe to provide aid. China continues to cement
its status as a serious world power, while in contrast the USA and Europe have
been slow to implement life-saving quarantine measures, stunned to be
confronted with an enemy that will not respond to bumbling bureaucracy or
aggressive midnight tweeting. This could certainly lead to positive change: Trump’s
poor grasp of the seriousness of the situation and the healthcare crisis in
America may cause the electorate to turn their back on him when the
presidential election eventually does happen. Furthermore, a shift away from
western-centralized power in favour of the ever more technologically advanced
east may have been inevitable anyway, yet the opportunity to foster
understanding and build a more balanced picture of world culture would be
advantageous in many regards. However, the risk of politicising the pandemic in
order to force society into submission is one that cannot be ignored, a tactic
that both China and the US are in danger of adopting.
A further
benefit to worldwide lockdown has been the dramatic reduction in pollution
levels, particularly due to the stringent measures brought in to control
international travel. There is fear amongst smaller airlines that they will be
unable to survive this knock to their business, as millions of jobs remain on
the line. This may be another instance of inevitability finally catching up
with us, as countries across the world are forced to recognise the damaging
impact our reliance on foreign travel has had on our environment. Smog levels
in China and India have fallen, while in Italy dolphins have begun to return to
ports previously overrun with tourists. Quarantine conditions alone are not
enough to reverse the problem, yet they may buy us some time. Naturally the
danger remains that once normal service is resumed very little difference will
ultimately have been made – we have to ensure that this not forgotten amidst
our excitement to get back out there.
It remains
to be seen whether coronavirus will leave a legacy of peace or turmoil, if
indeed it leaves one at all. Nevertheless, 2020 will forever be burned into our
memories as a warning to take heed of history, and to remind us that we are
not, after all, invincible.
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