Still on Lockdown. I don't know how long covid-19 will be with us. (A climate activist claims - for as long as Climate Change crisis will last).
However, I do know that a country needs the right strategy to handle it. I'm not referring to a country that belongs to the club of the big and rich (USA, Germany, UK..) but to a country of small to modest size and resources, like Israel where I live.
By 'right strategy' I mean one that would not be based on waiting for a vaccine (which may or may not be available , may or may not be effective), and, would not be based on borrowing heavy money to give its people the (false) feeling that life goes on as usual, and covid-19 is just a temporary inconvenience.
Perhaps, new drugs development (antivirals, steroids) will move faster than vaccine development, and help make real progress in the fight against the virus.
Perhaps, before borrowing money to release 'loan programs' and 'rescue funds', the government could advise people to return to basics; the decadent world of the pre-covid era, might never come back.
The new world might be one of isolation, including touristic isolation. North Korea, a small, isolated country, has just made it known to the world that there has been not even one single case of coronavirus infection there.
We don't know things for sure yet, but we have to be mentally prepared for the possible reality of no physical schools, restaurants, culture halls etc.. and reorganize our life the best we can under the circumstances.
Sadly, it seems that politicians and vaccine developers will nevertheless be dragging us into the abyss, creating chaos on the way.
Interesting thoughts. I believe the virus will pass in a couple of years and we will return to a new normal, based on the Spanish flu experience in 1918. Until the next pandemic.
ReplyDeleteCovid-19 is more like pneumonia than influenza. Both viruses were new- so no vaccines.For COVID-19, they might come up with vaccines next year.
DeleteInteresting to note that the Spanish flu didn't originate in Spain; the exact place is not known. The virus was of bird origin.
The other question is will people rush to take this vaccine. I am a bit scared.
DeleteNo, they won't. What might happen is that the government will decide to force people, especially the elderly, to get vaccinated.
DeleteSome countries seem to be doing fairly well with Covid and others not...it's seems it's very hard to contain if people don't do what they are advised to do..Covid hasn't finished doing it's thing yet. Hopefully, eventually a good vaccine with be developed.
ReplyDeleteThat's correct. Countries like Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, New-Zeeland, Thailand, Mongolia, seem to be beating Covid.
DeleteKudos to them! It gives hope to all the other countries that "where there's a will, there's a way".
I think this virus is here to stay. It may fade a bit but I think it won't ever go away. Yearly there will be a vaccine for it, similar to the flu. We will have to learn how to adjust life to it. We did it after 9-11 with travel and all the restrictions put on air travel afterward. I asked my hubby tonight at dinner how long he thought we would be wearing masks. He said until at least June of next year if not longer. I wonder when/if we'll ever get more than 50% occupancy for restaurants and if bars will be allowed to reopen here in Arizona (not that I frequent bars a lot). Our former church last held an in person church service March 15th; almost 7 months ago. It is slated to regather October 25th. We moved on to another church that has been gathering in person since June. We are going to have to learn how to live life safely with the restrictions imposed. I don't know how governments can continue to bail us out if there is not money coming into the government with taxes and the like. Like I've said many a time it is just a mess out there. Our only hope lies not in man or science but God. And God have mercy on us.
ReplyDeletebetty
When I'm asked about wearing a mask, I usually say - maybe,indefinitely. For people in my age group, a mask can be more efficient against the flu than the existing vaccine.
DeleteI totally agree with your conclusion: God is our Hope.
Covid will be with us until at least the end of next year according to most of the sound verdicts by medical professionals that I have read. A vaccine will perhaps (emphasis on "perhaps") be ready by mid summer next year. I read something yesterday that I thought was especially poignant, from a widow living alone, who said that for six months she has not touched, nor has been touched, by another human being. This is surely not normal.
ReplyDeleteThis is ,indeed, the usual evaluation of things regarding the possible vanishing of covid-19, and a vaccine.
DeleteAs for the widow - her kind of isolation is surely not normal, but then, we constantly hear around us about "the new normal".
So true! In the states it is frightening. Especially, with the election approaching and wondering what new chaos will erupt. So much unrest. I went to a grocery store yesterday and they are finally letting people use reusable bags. Just one more thing to worry about, our waste. Definitely, a time to think of our ingenuity and hope we can be better to our environment and how we live now.
ReplyDeleteThere's much unrest here, too: weekly marches of protest against the PM and his policy, economic mess, and above it all, corona virus ravages.
DeleteHopefully, something good will come out of that regarding environment.
I think things will be good, even if things are different. I am hopeful, Duta. Sometimes things change for the better.
ReplyDeleteThat's right. Good things, both for people and for environment, might come out of the corona crisis.
DeleteThe corona is like a mirror which reflects our real face- a face that definitely needs fixing.
In here it is getting worse and worse. The government does not want another lockdown,but we have to wear masks whenever we go out and once again we are told to stay at home as much as possible. Hope it will end finally! Stay safe and healthy everyone!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that.
DeleteLockdown does lower the numbers, but economy deteriorates.
And what next? How do we gradually get back to 'normal'?
We should learn from those countries that are almost covid free by now.
I don't know how long it will be here before we have some strategies like a vaccine or those you discussed but I think it will be quite awhile. I so want to travel again. Or at least have the flexibility to travel, the choice. Staying in and safe seems to be the only way I can see to knock it out until they have better solutions but it does take a hit on people's lives -- those who own or work for the businesses that aren't able to survive. If our government would mandate distancing masks and enforce if they weren't worn, many more businesses could survive and remain open. But there are far too many stupid Americans (and probably others) who will defy orders and just set us back again.
ReplyDeletePeople miss traveling so much! They talk and write about that. There's nothing that could compare with the thrill that travel brings.
DeleteSolutions are certainly not easy to find and implement, if people don't cooperate and defy orders.
I am really hoping for a vaccine to help make this Covid go away soon.
ReplyDeleteThis is a worldwide Hope.
DeleteThe chances seem to be good. There are a lot of Pharma companies involved in the race for producing the right vaccine. However, it takes time, money, patience.
This is so difficult for everyone, but must be harder for the young and for those in the middle of their busy lives, than for an old woman like myself. I am content with staying home with my dogs, being careful, wearing a mask when I venture out, and so on. But I feel sad for those younger than I am. I would have hated this, not being a patient person.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same. For me, it's easier to stay at home and wear a mask when going out, than it is for the young ones.
DeleteYoung people wish to live and have fun, go places, enjoy, not be confined to home.
Yes, our lives have changed in the sense that we are not traveling to see loved ones and friends who live out of state. We wear our masks wherever required and try to spend as much time outdoors as possible. We would hope for a cure-all to end this pandemic, but realistically do not see that happening very soon. This is going to be a long haul and sadly many people will be not able to survive, financially, or in other ways.
ReplyDeleteI think that by the end of the year (december)- beginning of next year, we shall have an idea of where and how we stand with this pandemic.Not earlier.
DeleteRight now we're dealing with opening/ closing of places, lockdowns, raising the money to help those who've lost jobs, and finding the right vaccine or antiviral drug.
Fabulous blog
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading it.
DeleteI think especially in the U.S. it's going to take a long time! People just don't want to listen, they don't feel the government should be telling them what to do. It's very sad because as you know my mom is 83 and the thought of her living the rest of her life without seeing her grandchildren or great grandchildren, without shopping which is her favorite thing, without going to her church on a daily basis as she's always done...well I just can't imagine her life ending in this way.
ReplyDeleteVery sad,indeed, especially for people like your mom.
DeleteI wonder what the secret of those almost free covid countries is. We should study their case thoroughly. Perhaps we could come up with some solution.
The worst are the States with this fool as president who pretends that the virus is nothing and he healed in 3 days !! The UK is the country with the most death, their health care system is a catastrophe. We all get new rules on Tuesday, most of the European countries for once get together. I only know that the Virus doesn't see borders it doesn't care, it is everywhere. I pity the youth ! No parties, no fun, no travels, at least I have my memories, they don't !
ReplyDeleteThe last sentence of your comment, Gattina, made me smile: "..at least I have my memories, they don't!"
DeleteWell, that's what I'm doing during lockdown - browse through my memories, my old photos and documents.
I too pity the young ones. They deserve a life free of restrictions, but what's to be done? We all need patience and cooperation until the pandemic is over.
Deus é tão brasileiro que
ReplyDeletemesmo ninguém fazendo coisa
alguma para dominar o "surto"
o índice de mortalidade está
caindo. Coisa de Deus, mesmo.
Estou te SEGUINDO NO SEU BLOG.
Siga-me no meu se achar que deve.
Beijos.
I'm glad God is with the brazilians and mortality is in decline. May it continue this way!
DeleteBlessings.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Blessings to you, too.
DeleteSo much confusion abounds....throughout the world. One would hope from all of what has been going on this year changes for the good...positivity, not negativity, reigns..kindness and understanding of others from near and afar are the result.
ReplyDeleteIt causes no harm to hope...
Keep taking good care, DUTA
Hope and Faith keep our heads above the water of confusion and distress.
DeleteAt the moment, things don't look so good and promising, but people are determined to make it all work again.
Adding to R`s comment, blessings and Shabbat Shalom!!!♡
ReplyDeleteThank you. Shabbat Shalom!
DeleteI live in Wisconsin, one of the "hotspots" in the US. Some people are good with isolating, wearing masks, etc., while others you will find at bars and restaurants, acting as if the world had returned to normal, Covid has been eradicated, etc. Neither is the case, and it won't get better, until people use a little common sense. Seems to be in short supply, with some. Stay safe, DUTA.
ReplyDeleteן'm not familiar with what goes on in the various countries of the USA,but almost everywhere in the world there are those who follow the guidelines and those who don't.
DeleteSo, I agree with you that things won't get better without people using commonsense.
Stay safe, you too Bica!
The world has certainly changed, yet I continue to stay in constant prayer. Hugs, RO
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid we haven't seen the worst of it yet.
DeleteGood for you! That';s all what we've got: prayer.
I learned a good while ago that life changes and we have to adjust to the change...or not. I prefer to adjust. So many people are choosing to ignore the reality of this virus.
ReplyDeleteI pray that God has a merciful ending in store for us. Great post, DUTA!
You've got the right attitude. I also belong to those who try to adjust rather than ignore change of reality.
Delete