Covid-19 has been flooding the news headlines everyday. We see the number of cases and death tolls go up. As of this writing, there are already about 114,000 cases around the world with about 4,000 deaths. (More detailed information here )
We see different reactions and opinions from people – ordinary folks and politicians alike.
Some say it’s really serious and deadly. Some say its nothing but some kind of flu that is just being exaggerated and sensationalized.
In my observation, this virus certainly bring out some good and many bad things in our society- faster and worse than the virus itself.
Let’s start from the more obvious and dominating.
The NEGATIVE SIDE.
1. FEAR
Fear is not always negative. Sometimes, it is positive. But with Covid-19, it’s the negative effect of fear that drives people to resort to PANIC BUYING. Fear of not having enough supplies when pandemic strikes. Not only in China, where the virus originated, but also Japan, Australia, USA, and other countries, that people emptied the stores of masks, hand soaps, sanitizers, rice, and for some “mysterious” rather crazy reason, toilet paper. It is the game of psychology, social pressure and conformity – to do what others do. You buy, I buy, we buy, everyone buys. It’s more contagious than the virus. It’s fueled with the anxiety of what if’s. “What if we run out of this?” “What if we run out of that?” “Better safe than sorry.”
Fear of Asians/Chinese since its in China that the virus is said to originate.
Fear of people, of crowd, of gatherings.
Fear of the unknown.
2. GREED
The real opportunists disguised as business people found this situation very much appealing, the chance of a lifetime. They joined the hoarding and sell the items in way more higher, ten times as much, the original price. How can a box of mask cost about ¥20,000 online when it was originally priced at about ¥2,000?
3. HATE
Nobody wants to get infected and anyone who manifests as carrier or identified as originating from an infected country, is shunned, blamed, bullied and worse, beaten. A confrontation occurred because one train passenger coughed. In the beginning of the outbreak, many people are asking its government to close its doors to all Chinese – as if all Chinese, ALL OF THEM are infected. Hate brings forth distrust and division among people.
4. IGNORANCE
Just because someone looks like Asian or Chinese doesn’t mean the person is infected. Just because the number of infected person goes up doesn’t mean they all die. Just because other people are grabbing toilet paper in the supermarket that you need to grab one for yourself as well just for the sake of joining the “trend”. If you really need it, that’s understandable. But, buying because others are buying, I think is not. Everyone should equip themselves with the proper knowledge and information to avoid this act of ignorance.
5. DIVISION
Countries are closing its borders to avoid the spread of the deadly virus. Recently , Japan has canceled visas of Chinese and S. Koreans. S. Koreans retaliate by doing the same.
6. BUSINESS BANKRUPTCY
The effect of coronavirus on business establishments is certainly not good. It is indeed “deadly”. Many tourism-related business establishments like hotels and tour services bankrupt because of travel bans. Not just establishments but cruise ship operator as well. Many concerts and events are canceled. Even Tokyo Disneyland is closed for two weeks in March.
Now, let’s look at the POSITIVE SIDE
1. HEALTH CONSCIOUSNESS– More people become more conscious about health, hygiene and sanitation. Frequent hand-washing and disinfecting lead to lesser flu cases compared to the previous years. At least the panic buying of hand sanitizers did not go to waste.
And while other go insane by stockpiling tissue and toilet papers, others buy hand soap and vitamins. Taking vitamins and supplements is also another way to boost the body’s immune system.
Wearing mask has also become a necessity and some schools and offices make it a requirement.
2. CREATIVITY – Because masks are nowhere to be seen, some people went back to basic home economics by making their own homemade mask.
3. INITIATIVE
The positive side of panic buying is that people, specially mothers, make sure that their families will never go hungry by buying and stockpiling basic necessities making sure the pantry is full enough in case pandemic is to happen.
Country and community leaders implement measures to avoid the spread of the virus. Japan cancels classes in the elementary, junior high and high school for the whole month of March. Not just Japan but also in the US.
4. SENSE OF HUMOR
Some mask manufacturers add humor by using funny mask like the one below.
There are a lot of Facebook posts related to Covid-19 that will make you laugh. Just check your timeline and you’ll see for yourself.
I have this one for example:
I, myself, is scared of what is going to happen with this new virus. Although I did not join the panic buying. Well, I almost did. The fear of the unknown is really contagious. It makes me more conscious of my health. I am hoping that this will pass soon. I also hope no one of my family and friends will get it. For now, I will just enjoy the funny posts in my timeline.