We need to talk about the coronavirus, so I thought I send out my opinion about this via my blog.
Personally, I prefer to live my life by the maxim "most emergencies aren't." Adhering to this sentiment, I avoid overreacting or panicking. Of course, every so often, there are real emergencies. Even then, it's better to prepare than to panic. We never look in the rearview and wish we would have panicked more.
As of today, we are unsure whether the novel coronavirus, aka COVID-19, is a widespread emergency or an overreaction. To be clear, it's already an emergency for some. Many people have died, many more are ill, and many healthcare providers are risking their lives to keep people alive. And there’s a significant likelihood it will get worse in the coming months.
Personally, I prefer to live my life by the maxim "most emergencies aren't." Adhering to this sentiment, I avoid overreacting or panicking. Of course, every so often, there are real emergencies. Even then, it's better to prepare than to panic. We never look in the rearview and wish we would have panicked more.
As of today, we are unsure whether the novel coronavirus, aka COVID-19, is a widespread emergency or an overreaction. To be clear, it's already an emergency for some. Many people have died, many more are ill, and many healthcare providers are risking their lives to keep people alive. And there’s a significant likelihood it will get worse in the coming months.
While you and I don't know whether we'll be directly affected, we’ll certainly
be indirectly affected. The stock market is tanking, factories are ceasing
production, stores are running out of inventory, schools and museums are
closing, and many public gatherings are being canceled or postponed. To date, ITB Berlin, IMEX Frankfurt, the NBA & NFL suspended their entire season. FIFA World Cup Qualifiers are postponed, several music gigs and festivals cancelled. Hundreds
of other events, conferences, and rallies have shuttered under the threat of infection.
Covid-19 has also made its way to Scotland, with the first case in the region confirmed on 1 March. In that same consideration for safety, I consider to postpone meetings, planned visits for my familie's and my own safety. Flights have been cancelled from/to Edinburgh and Glasgow and the travel and event industry doesface a massive impact in the industry already.
While all of this can be extremely aggravating, these setbacks are mere inconveniences in the grand scheme of things. The actual problem might be far more serious than shifting around our calendars—it might mean changing how we live for the foreseeable future. As we learn more about the severity of this pandemic, I'm being vigilant by:
Covid-19 has also made its way to Scotland, with the first case in the region confirmed on 1 March. In that same consideration for safety, I consider to postpone meetings, planned visits for my familie's and my own safety. Flights have been cancelled from/to Edinburgh and Glasgow and the travel and event industry doesface a massive impact in the industry already.
While all of this can be extremely aggravating, these setbacks are mere inconveniences in the grand scheme of things. The actual problem might be far more serious than shifting around our calendars—it might mean changing how we live for the foreseeable future. As we learn more about the severity of this pandemic, I'm being vigilant by:
- washin my hands with soap and water often – I do this for at least 20 seconds
- I always wash my hands when I get home or before i eat
- I use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- I cover my mouth and nose with a tissue or my sleeve (not my hands) when I cough or sneeze
- I put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash my hands afterwards
- I try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
That might sound like the hyperbole of a hypochondriac, but this is unlike anything we've seen in our
lifetime. According to the NHS and as of 9am on 12 March 2020, 29,764 people have been tested in the UK, of
which 29,174 were confirmed negative and 590 were confirmed as
positive. Eight patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have died. The government published its coronavirus action plan on 3 March. An update on numbers worldwide you will find on the website here.
Look, I know our individualistic society is not very good at slowing down or
self-regulating. But we must. At least for a while. It’s no longer about just
you and me—we must consider everyone else. Which seems like a paradox when we
talk about "social distancing," but, right now, one of the best
things we can do is love people from afar. Because even if you aren't worried
about the virus yourself, you can transmit it to others if you're not careful,
and spreading the disease will lead to greater human suffering.
LET'S NOT PANIC, but let's be cautious and act accordingly. Even from a distance, we are all in this together. And if you are, indeed, panicking, please remember, it is possible to take this seriously, but also to lighten the mood with a little humor!
LET'S NOT PANIC, but let's be cautious and act accordingly. Even from a distance, we are all in this together. And if you are, indeed, panicking, please remember, it is possible to take this seriously, but also to lighten the mood with a little humor!