World War Zero Post Apocalyptic Covid Pandemic Survivor Epiphany

Pulling the sign carefully from the rubble, Covey, the archaeologist initially reads it as World Zero, but then, after cleaning it and putting on glasses, says out loud to no-one in particular, ‘Covid 2020’.

What do the history books say? From basic knowledge of Virii the following conclusions were drawn:

1. The virus went viral, as humans spread it worldwide thanks to unconstrained travel;

2. The virus loved communities of wealthy unhealthy elderly people;

3. The virus loved free societies, where everyone has rights but few take responsibility;

4. The virus undermined compromised immune and respiratory systems e.g. asthma;

5. The virus needed mammals (warm-blooded air breathing animals);

6. The virus moved between species;

7. The virus loved the right environment to thrive, people crammed into poorly air-con spaces;

8. The virus evolved by natural and possibly unnatural means;

9. The virus is sub-microscopic but multiplies rapidly to fill lungs and can kill the host; and

10. The virus could not be stopped only controlled, and there were no quick fix drugs.

People thought lowering the curve was about stopping the virus rather than managing the ability of hospitals to cope and politicians allowed a return to business-as-usual too soon as the virus spread. Without mass testing the curve could not be used as a true indication of how the virus was spreading in the community as too many travellers had escaped the safety net, the horse had bolted.

What could they have done:

1. Enact strict quarantine from day 1, elected officials need to lead in times of crisis;

2. Learnt from others mistakes e.g. Singapore and SARS;

3. Taught that democracy allows freedom to choose but with responsibility for actions;

4. Every child carries out community service (Caring-for-Others) as part of their curriculum;

5. Every person needs to take responsibility for their health and not expect quick fixes;

6. Control endurance sports that undermine the bodies capacity to cope;

7. Wash hands properly (how many guys go to the toilet and then shop at the supermarket?);

8. Send sick people to the doctor and then tell them to stay at home e.g. food handlers;

9. Face recognition at (sea/air) ports that also monitors thermal images; and

10. People travelling from known hot-spots more carefully scrutinised on arrival.

Good news:

1. Overworked stressed commuters were given an opportunity to take a ‘breather’;

2. After initial holiday they reduced game time and reconnected with their creative sides;

3. Families became closer and played together;

4. People became aware of the fragility of life and learnt about global environmental issues;

5. People started eating, sleeping and exercising properly and regularly;

6. Getting out into the fresh air with permissible UV exposure and breathing more deeply;

7. BAU was no longer an option as countries became more self-sufficient;

8. Continuing economic growth included all contaminants environmental impacts;

9. People became more self-sufficient and grew their own food; and

10. People started sharing their excess with others without expecting pay-back.