Friday, June 12, 2020
Here We Go Again
After lifting of restrictions (probably too soon) we're, sadly, back to a rise in the number of covid-19 virus infected people.
I don't know where all this will lead to. In the meantime, I'm looking at some situations, in light of the corona crisis.
1. Schools are in a rather chaotic phase; after reopening,many got shut again because of individual pupils or teachers who tested positive to the virus.
2. People have been told for years that humans are "social creatures". True, people seek interaction with other people.
Self-isolation is tough on them, but many have come to realize now that it has some benefits too.
'The time to have time' - is a major benefit: time to do things in the house and around it, to read books, to practice a hobby, to have a dialogue with one's own self, to enjoy...silence.
3. Lately, I happen to come upon the slogan 'a trade is better than a degree'. It seems to imply that people with a trade (mainly requiring manual skills) have done better than those with a profession (requiring more education, and an academic degree).
I think that nowadays, the difference between trade and profession is both subtle and dynamic. One can acquire more education and move between the two worlds according to circumstances. ;there are lots of nurses, for instance, with an academic degree.
I've recently read about two israeli sociology professors, man and wife, who are about to publish a book about what they call 'the futility of academic degrees'. It sounds provocative and it should be an interesting read.
Anyway, degree or not, many have lost their jobs because of the corona crisis, and are getting financial assistance from the government.
Labels:
academic degree,
benefit,
chaotic,
financial assistance,
schools,
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A trade is good. A profession is good. I hope we have enough people for both. 😊
ReplyDeleteIndeed, both are good and neccessary. A prosfession requires some more education and certifications; it's possible to get both.
DeleteI worry about opening too soon. You see the evidence of it.
ReplyDeleteSadly, either way we look is probematic. People can't be on lockdown for long.
DeleteWe have a celebrity in the U.S. by the name of Mike Rowe who was a star of a show called Dirty Jobs. I loved that show and Mike Rowe as well, he's a handsome man and brilliant! He started a foundation to provide scholarships to individuals that didn't want or couldn't afford to go to college but preferred to learn a trade. He feels jobs where individuals earn a trade instead of acquiring a costly degree are being belittled and thought of as alternatives, so he's making it his goal in life to show that people who have a trade instead of a degree can be just as successful in life, if not more so.
ReplyDeleteIf the stock market crashes you may not have a job if you are a broker with a four year degree, but a tradesman that know how to repair air conditioners is probably always going to be in need. Now I'm not knocking degrees, but I don't think people should have to pay student loans for the rest of their lives and parents shouldn't have to take a 2nd or 3rd mortgage on their home so little Johnny can get a degree just to come home and live with them because he can't get a job.
Anyway, yes...numbers are rising, it's a scary time in the world right now and I don't see it getting better right away.
There are places where bright students get a scholarship from the state, but they have to show achievements first.
DeleteThose who show only 'potential' will have to find alternatives - a trade or loans to fund their potential.
I'm very much in favor of choosing a trade and I totally agree with your opinion on that.
The interesting thing about degrees is finding one that is marketable and one can make a living from it. Otherwise a trade might be the better way to go. Either does take skill and knowledge though to succeed.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the increase in cases. We are having the same but we are testing a lot more here in Arizona. We are testing 500% more than at the beginning so of course there will be more positives. Our percentages are low though so that is what everyone is looking at. Our schools are slated to reopen August 10th.
Betty
Right, Betty.
DeleteSkill and knowledge are the keys to success in both instances.
The same here, more testing, more positives. So where do we go from here, especially with the great numbers of infected youngsters?
Sounds an interesting book! I am wondering about their perspectives!
ReplyDeleteYes, it does. I'm looking forward to ,at least, read a review of it.
DeleteWe are lucky that we have 0 active cases. It is here the same though because we have been in isolation for a while and because tourism came to a halt many are getting bankrupt so the times are going to be hard for many. We need both academics and trades people.
ReplyDeleteNew Zealand is given as an example of good strategy of handling the virus crisis.
DeleteHopefully, your country returns to prosperity in no time.
That does sound like a provocative title for a book! Is it going to be published in English or Hebrew? Both perhaps. I am sure it would make for interesting reading and perhaps our local library will have a copy. As for opening up too soon, they are already starting to feel the folly of having done so in the United States, and now Trump is going to restart his rallies. Anyone who attends must be quite demented, both for wanting to hear Trump, and for taking the serious risk of contracting Covid-19, a virus that has the capability to make it their last rally ever!
ReplyDeleteIt appears the book (672 pages!)has recently been published under the hebrew title 'All The lies of the academy'. Its authors are the OZ couple (Almog and Tamar) both professors at the Haifa university.
Delete(I've got the info from the university's site : new books).
Judging by the situation in my country, it would seem politicians, heads of state, cannot control things; they are in the hands of their voters who demand economy first, virus next.
Correction: 'Almog' is the family name of the couple. 'OZ' is the husband's name.
DeleteThat's an interesting observation about a trade and a profession. I'd not thought of it that way but I did find that many tradesmen were able to support themselves better during the pandemic lockdown. I worry about all over the world with this. Here states open up at different times depending on their region and that should make it smart but some governors just want to put economy ahead of peoples' lives and the cases in those states are soaring. Add to that the cases from the recent protests and it's getting to be more than a bit of a mess. And THAT's before they even expect it to get bad again. Now Trump wants to start his big political rallies and I think that's an accident waiting to happen. But you can't tell him anything.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid, in my country, the word 'mess' will soon be followed by the words 'chaos' and 'riots', despite promises and finncial aid given to those who have lost their jobs and businesses.
DeletePoliticians are making things worse - a lot of words, zero meaningful actions.
Self-isolation hasn't altered my normal self-isolation style of existence. I guess, in that, I am one of the fortunate few. By choice, I live a quiet life...I keep to myself, and enjoy my choice of doing so. I have no family...no one to miss; or anyone to miss me.
ReplyDeleteMy two furry mates and I keep to ourselves' we bother no one...or at least do our very best not to bother anyone. They are indoor cats...and I am an indoor "cat", too! :)
That book sounds like it could be a very interesting read...making some pertinent observations and points.
Take good care, DUTA. :)
Contrary to belief, interaction with people might prove to be a toxic one.
DeleteSo, kudos to you that you've found your own way of living that enables you and your furry mates to enjoy a quiet existence!
Yes, Lee, the book is probably going to be a 'best seller'.
Just because things are opening up doesn't mean one HAS to go there. I, for one, will not be venturing out into the "wild-blue-yonder" just because it's open. I hope those that DO go out, DO IT SAFELY.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful weekend! Stay Safe, dear friend!
Exactly. Many are of the same opinion as you. It's too soon! The virus is still with us, and ready to strike.
DeleteStay safe, you too!
We still need patience against the virus all over the world. Governments should keep the principle of transparency and explanation to their people.
ReplyDeleteI like the word 'transparency'. Unfortunately, governments don't respect the priniple of transparency, and don't act according to it.
DeleteI`ll pick up on point 2!!.. agreed about there is a time its good to have by oneself to read and reflect and spend time close to God in `isolation`. The other points you bring up are interesting too, you always have a good eye for the situation. I hope that the new cases were just a kind of trickle from the after like rain off a tree after the rain, when you think its raining but actually the rain stopped and its just the rain finishing off coming from the tree. Hope its so !! (hope that makes sense, not sure if I was able to write what I wanted to express, basically meaning hope there won`t be more new cases!!) Blessings to you Duta!!(heart!)
ReplyDeleteThe new cases of covid-19 are worrying!
DeleteI wish it were like in your metaphor with the rain (beautiful metaphor!), but it's not, it's getting worse every day, and it's targetting youngsters.
Blessings to you too, Shayndel!
Sad but true. Money rules our life.
ReplyDeleteBoth politicians and money are the source of all evil.
Things are different where I live than in a lot of the other places in the US because we are open. The casinos, hotels and everywhere else are just open. People are back to work and yes, there is a rise in Covid cases. But I live in Vegas and we depend on tourists to keep the city going so I really don't think if the spike in cases gets bad again that people are going to stay home a second time.
ReplyDeleteThis is the feeling here too - no more lockdown. The thing is, schools are the battlefield now. So, parents and education factors are at loss.
DeleteI didn't suffer from the lockdown, because I met my two friends each two days. That helped. My husband had his computer. The weather was nice and we felt like in holidays ! But now that the lockdown slowly ends we feel a little lost. People running around with masks, so many rules to be respected, I hate now going in a shop and prefer to order on internet. For the moment of course I am so busy with the moving that I don't even have time to think !
ReplyDeleteYes, people are still required to wear masks and keep distance. Sadly,in my neck of the woods, many of them are ignoring the rules, and here we go again - a rise in number of the infected people.
DeleteIt's certainly not good to hear about a 2nd wave of Covid-19, let's hope people become sensible, or, is that asking too much.
ReplyDeleteHere on this Island we are doing alright so far as we come out of part lockdown, no cases for nearly 30 days and the border still closed.
Always need Tradesman, and Handymen to do all manner of things plus Teachers to teach them.
Youngest son is studying at home doing his University Degree and hasn't been along with all other students been to Uni for a long time.
Take care.
They're not calling it yet 2nd wave, but it might be close.
DeleteKudos to your Island for its successful corona strategy!
Good Luck to your youngest son with his studies!
We have more sick people too,very scary.I was hoping it will be over already!Stay safe and healthy everyone ☺
ReplyDeleteSorry about that. No doubt, scary and frustrating!
DeleteSorry to read about a possible new outbreak in your country, Duta. Some things have been re-opening here in nashua, NH on a week-by-week basis but we haven't been anyplace else than to the grocery store and sitting outdoors as often as possible and walking a lot. The new normal with people masked up everywhere can be a bit overwhelming, but necessary for quite a while longer it seems from the current projections. You wouldn't think so by seeing photos of beach goers in some US cities.
ReplyDeleteOur present situation is not good at all, and that's not too surprising as people here lack discipline.
DeleteIt seems to me, however, that the virus is making fun of us, especially of the experts among us.
We're still wearing masks and and all here, although a few restaurants now offer outside dining. Trade and profession, both needed. Our sons are both engineers and very busy with work, but learning trades is so important, my FIL was a plumber and there's always a need for them and many more trades. From what I've read here there is a high demand for tradespeople and schools are always encouraging students to enter, not so many are doing that now evidently. Good post! Take care
ReplyDeleteI believe masks are going to be an integral part of our life for quite a long while.
DeleteGlad to hear your sons are busy and successful. May they always be like that!
Stay safe and well, Pam!
Effective Friday in Raleigh NC, it will be mandatory to wear masks outside in stores, etc., but that's not the case for the entire state yet, even though our numbers are still creeping up. All I can do is pray that this all works out soon. Hugs, RO
ReplyDeletePraying to God - that's the only effective way to get us out of this mess.
DeleteStay well, Ro!
Yes it is sad what the Pandemic created. First we had a tornado hit east Nashville and some parts north , the the pandemic and stay at home orders and now the rioters, looter and more protest than can be imagined. Then to add insults to Injury our coucil voted for a 34 percent property tax. What is our world coming too.?
ReplyDeleteSorry about the tornado, the riots, the propert tax. That sonds a bit too much, now that people are struggling with a pandemic.
DeleteOur world is indeed, deteriorating.
Hello! I came here from my dear friend Inter. How are you? I am very worried with the Covid19 in my country and in my State SãoPaulo Brasil. I am um quarentine alone in my apartament. My daughter and my son are at their homes too. I am very sad and alone. How are you in your city? I hope you stay well and safe. We are living Just a craziness with this terrible Covid19. Regards from Sonia from São Paulo Brasil
ReplyDeleteYes, things don't look good at the moment.
DeleteHowever, with God's help this too shall pass! We have to believe and hope for the best.
Thanks for the visit, Sonia.
I'm afraid you're right. We,humans, cannot change the above.
ReplyDeleteWe aren't required to wear masks where I live in Wisconsin, but my husband and I choose to wear them. We haven't seen family for several months, and will visit one of our daughters next week. They've been isolating as well as they can, but her husband is a doctor, so you never know for sure, what they're exposed to. Hoping for the best. The world is a mess right now...2020 is off to a memorably, horrible start.
ReplyDelete"The world is a mess right now".
DeleteI couldn't agree with you more. I'm afraid it might escalate to riots and chaos.
Things are very slowly opening up in the UK but I think you have to feel confident to go out. These are certainly strange and unsettling times.
ReplyDeleteI am so looking forward to being allowed to see family in the flesh and give them a big hug … at the moment we still meet via the internet, for which I am very grateful.
All the best Jan
Things are opening up, more or less, everywhere, But Fear remains and it governs our life.
DeleteThere's so much bitter irony in all this mess! People have always been advised to socialize, and now they can't even be with family members.
Hey DUTA, it’s me again. I’m back just saying hi, stopping in to show my face. Checking to see what you’re up to. I hope you are having a great day. Enjoy yourself!
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the best!
Thanks for the visit. I'm OK, thank God!
DeleteAll the Best to you too!
It is a worry when we start getting back to normal too soon. WE are lucky so far and our state doesn't have any new cases but Victoria has another outbreak.
ReplyDeleteWell, keep on with the good luck!
DeleteSo far, our government was too weak considering the disobedient population.
While restrictions have been easing up in our state that doesn't mean we are all safe. Thankfully, we have been doing well and hopefully will continue to do so. I dislike the masking-up but do it whenever in public places, stores etc. It is definitely better to be safe now vs. sorry later. Glad you continue to be doing well, Duta. Perhaps a trade will be more worthwhile than an academic degree. After all it worked for our forefathers.
ReplyDeleteBetter safe than sorry - as they say. I totally agree with that. I also agree with you on the importance of a good trade.
DeleteStay well, and take care!
It really is chaos.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. Parallel to the medical aspect, there's also going to be great social unrest caused by a decline of economy. I fear violence and famine.
Delete