The Coronavirus keeps spreading, and the governments namely in the developed world are seen to take drastically different steps from keeping their population safe. Switzerland has now closed all schools and universities, shops with the exception of grocery stores and supermarkets, all leisure and sport facilities, and all people are advised to leave their homes only if absolutely necessary. Groups of more than 5 people in public are banned.
The U.K. has now closed all its educational and leisure facilities as well and recommends that people avoid any unnecessary travel, but neither the U.K. nor Switzerland have resorted to the draconian measure of banning the population from venturing out, such as France, Italy and Spain have done (although Britain‘s system of checks by the police and fines comes very close). However, many cultural and sport events scheduled for the coming months such as the Glastonbury festival in the U.K. or the Euro 2020 football competition as well as the Olympic Games have been cancelled or postponed.
But there remain nations which don‘t seem utterly concerned: Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, still is of the opinion, that Wodka and saunas will suffice to protect his people from the clutches of the Coronavirus, specifically suggesting everyone have a daily dose of 50 ml of Wodka (although not at work).
And while the death count from the Coronavirus rises steadily, we are sitting at home and should hopefully all reflect on what really matters to us individually and what should matter to society (or societies) as a whole. One thing is sure: life as we know (or knew) it before Covid-19 is a thing of the past. In more ways than one we all will change and grow used to new habits, such as teleworking and maybe being more conscientious as far as our environment and fellow citizens are concerned. And that in itself has to be a good thing.
The grumpy older man 