Please note: The current Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic is fast moving, and reactions to it seem to update not just day-by-day but minute-by-minute. Obviously, this site was not designed to bring you the very latest developments in a ‘breaking news’ story such as this. Instead, this site will continue to include news and opinions relating to major events, policy changes, and so on.
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The following article should be of particular interest to those who may be, or may feel, vulnerable to COVID-19 coronavirus.
So sorry. Really, I am. It gives me absolutely no pleasure to be correct in my analysis of the tragically ongoing COVID-19 pandemic while the focus of world leaders has been on ending lockdown restrictions and getting back to a ‘we’re open, business as usual’ mentality.
And those intrepid, if often incompetent, political leaders are now paying the price for either not understanding, or perhaps ignoring, the real danger to their citizens. They are facing an alarming increase in the number of cases. Surprised? Don`t be!
One month ago, I wrote an article, first in The Locus and then on this site, condemning the rush to ease restrictions and criticising those politicians responsible (maybe irresponsible) for doing so. That article was headlined “This Isn’t the Time for Rushing to Reopen the World”. I was right, it wasn’t then and isn’t now.
After the initial peak in the number of confirmed cases, and deaths, political leaders have been keen to ease restrictions that have been seen as widely unpopular. In places they resulted in protests and demonstrations, and have been flouted by some.
To a degree, it is understandable. Political leaders want to be popular, after all they depend on public support for their future. These unpopular lockdowns need to end quickly, they think. Never mind the risk of further outbreaks, further spikes of infections, or the risk of a second wave of the pandemic as talked about.
Strictly speaking, the increases in cases is not defined as a second wave but as the first wave making a comeback as we lower our defences.
Resurgence
Margaret Harris, from the World Health Organization, says that what we have is “one big wave” making its way across the globe.
Prof Paul Hunter.
And Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease specialist at the University of East Anglia’s Norwich Medical School, UK, says for it to be a second wave the virus would have to have gone away completely. He says he prefers to call it a “resurgence”.
That such a resurgence is being seen in highly populated areas such as the United States, Western Europe, and others, should not be unexpected. But it seems it was by political leaders who are more concerned with popularity and votes, and their nation’s economy than the health and lives of their people.
Surely, no one would put economy before health, would they? Think back to March when Donald Trump, US president, wanted America to reopen by Easter.
At a news conference, he said: “You have suicides over things like this when you have terrible economies. You have death. Probably — and I mean definitely — would be in far greater numbers than the numbers that we’re talking about with regard to the virus.”
Then, the next day, he said: “You’re going to lose more people by putting a country into a massive recession or depression.”
Naturally, experts disputed Trump’s ludicrous claim that an economic downturn would be more deadly than a pandemic. But his words showed his moronic thinking at the time.
All in all, as the situation is today, I still say it is too early to lower our defences.
Stay safe, stay well.
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Spelling
Please note that being born in the UK, all my posts, are written using British English spelling.
For example:
Centre not center (except in names, Centers of Disease Control) Colour not color Diarrhoea not diarrhea Haematology not hematology Haematopoietic not hematopoietic
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50shadesofsun.com is the personal website of Ian Franks. He enjoyed a successful career as a journalist, from reporter to editor in the print media. He gained a Journalist of the Year award in his native UK. More recently, he was a freelance medical writer and editor for various health information sites. Ian received a diagnosis of MS in 2002 and now lives in the south of Spain. He uses a wheelchair and advocates on mobility and accessibility issues.
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Note: Health-related information available on 50shadesofsun website is for your general knowledge only. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. Ian is not a doctor, so cannot and does not give you medical advice. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues. Also, consult a doctor before starting a new diet or exercise programme. Any opinions expressed are purely his own unless otherwise stated.
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