Stay The Fuck At Home
By Jo Lorenz
As COVID-19 takes a real-time toll on all of us, does it do so disproportionately?
A quick look at the realities of disparity in a pandemic.
Science. Isn’t it rad? I mean just look at what can be achieved when world leaders and citizens alike actually listen to the likes of scientists!
Yet why is it that so many earthlings and their self-aggrandising leaders — *coughs* Trump — are taking notice of this particular brand of science, yet not the scientific consensus of 99.99%* certainty that humans are causing global warming? 🤔 Perhaps, I digress . . .
Unlike climate change, COVID-19 is having an immediate/real-time effect on the economy and citizens within developed countries. In other words, this one is personal to our politicians *does steely Dwayne Johnson type gaze* and is directly affecting their “brand” of people.
Yet what if this virus was only spreading in developing countries? Would it be receiving as much scrutiny? For e.g. what will happen if COVID-19 takes hold in India, the world’s second-most-populous nation? Especially in densely packed urban areas with poor sanitation. Immobilising already vulnerable healthcare systems will be disastrous and push people further into poverty and deprivation.
COVID-19 is unfortunately yet another demonstration of how our societal and global establishment is set up to serve the rich and privileged — and how easily the poor will suffer. The rate with which COVID-19 will affect people, communities and indeed entire nations is in direct correlation to their privilege (and how much their govt views them as an asset or not). This is all extremely shit. And that is obviously the understatement of the year.
So what can we do? Everything, that’s what! Those of us in privileged positions in wealthy, developed countries must use our concessions in life to battle against COVID-19, in order to prevent the spread to poorer nations where there are very real fears that they will not be able to cope with major outbreaks.
Today — to get you through your isolation and minor cabin fever freak-outs — please remember that you are not only doing this for yourself, but also your family, your immediate communities, your conscience — and all of those with less privilege than yourself.
Need that quick designer almond milk latte? No, you really don’t. Stay the fuck at home.
Source:
* 99.99% (five-sigma level) — a “five-sigma” level is a statistical gauge meaning there is only a one-in-a-million chance it is incorrect, i.e. not cause by humans. See more here.
