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The potentials of a post-coronavirus world


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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