THE WORLD AFTER CORONA

 

Thwarted down at home, rarely venturing into plaintive empty streets, most people are still at a loss at how life will look afterwards. Life after the COVID-19 outbreak will never be the same. We're at the beginning of the end but a new beginning into a new lifestyle. Metaphorically, the spread of the virus happened in a blink of an eye and suddenly it has made its home in the bodies of a thousand; later on; millions of people in different parts of the world. According to official sources; on December 31; 2019 the coronavirus started in the city of Wuhan, China; it followed its natural course, ignoring borders, tariffs and customs. Everyone is eager to experience a new phase in life when the pandemic is over. some await in very high expectations while others are rather pessimistic on what life could be.

Humankind is now facing a global crisis, probably the biggest crisis of our generation that does not involve war or ammunition. The decisions people and governments take has shaped the world for years to come. These decisions did not just impact on the healthcare systems; no, but also on the economy, political and socio-culture of people. We must act quickly but decisively with dealing with this pandemic because its coming is a long consequence of our actions. When choosing alternatives, we wouldn't ask ourselves on what we were doing, on what threats our action was to mother earth. According to many observers, the corona crisis is going to mark a turning point in our lives. The corona crisis not only challenges disease control and crisis management, but it also has long-term and far-reaching impacts on states, societies and international cooperation. In this time of deep uncertainty, science is being asked again, to look to the future and to flank a rational discourse about how to react to the current global crisis, and therefore for us to now better cope with other tantamount global crises such as 'climate change'

In a broader point of view, the cooperation and solidarity between countries have been impacted. Despite the saying; 'no man is an island, nobody stands alone'; the trend of self-reliance and isolation is likely to continue after the corona pandemic is over. the fear of spreading diseases amongst countries will limit international movements- be it rail, sea, road or air. Most countries will be challenged in their resilience socially, politically and economically. Fragile countries/states might be pushed into chaos and anarchy as people demand aid and assistance from the government that is already bankrupt. More than anything else, this is a test of legitimacy for every government, though not for the political systems as such. Does our government care for our health, and is it capable of protecting us are questions to be answered by many governments later. In the democracies, governments that fail to act timely and decisively will most likely lose their next elections. Electronic voting is likely to go mainstream. The old system of limiting voting to polling places where people must gather near one another for an extended period is another victim of COVID-19. Many developed countries have gradually moved away from this system in which they tried to put laws requiring electronic balloting for military and diaspora voters. Even before the pandemic is over, we'll see Americans using e-voting on 3 November; though in many cases Trump has tried to downplay the use of electronic voting; raising issues about voting frauds and vote stealing.

When the pandemic ends, we might see many thousands in the streets to overthrow their governments whose legitimacy and incompetency will be in question for failing to manage the crisis. In Africa however, the arrival of Chinese aid may greatly enhance its reputation in the continent. The absence of the United States is making it easy for the Chinese. And for those countries like Zimbabwe with their 'Look East Policy' they are likely to strengthen their relationships with China. By not taking the Coronavirus seriously, Trump lost the opportunity for the US to play any role in international solidarity and coordination. It may even cost him his re-election[with his government facing criticism at the moment ]. The truth is that in the post-Napoleanic era, significant discrete shifts in the distribution of power have only come from war and the collapse of communism, and the COVID-19, many leaders faced a new invisible enemy to fight. The enemy is not in 'Yemen, Syria or Libya' were great powers usually play their dirt games. The people will be waiting to see whether the so-called 'superpowers' will concord for the betterment of the world or will they continue in their malicious endless wars in foreign lands.

Besides, even after the outbreak of the coronavirus, the religious gatherings; from Muslims, Christians, Hindus and all other small sects were affected. Never had anyone imagined Makkah that empty. Some other religions have taken their sermons on online platforms but without human touch or contacts as they usually are. After this pandemic all congregational gatherings such as Hajj for Muslims, Thapusam for Hindus...all will be conducted with great prudence and caution, perhaps with restrictions on the number of participants on the ground and new rules on sanitation and social distancing. No doubt religion; is the epistemology of the society but after the pandemic, it's never going to be the same. Easter, Christmas for Christians, Passover for the Catholics, are some manually gatherings that will be emphatically affected.  But how does the Christmas populace observe their holiest day if they can not rejoice together on that day? But how do jews celebrate their deliverance from bondage on Zoom, with in-laws left to wonder whether causing Frank's internet connection merely froze or he is out somewhere? All the faiths have dealt with the challenge of keeping the faith alive under the adverse conditions of war, diaspora or persecution- but never all faiths at the same time. Religion in the time of quarantine has already challenged conceptions of what it means to minister and fellowship. But it will also expand the opportunities for those who have no local congregation to sample new sermons from afar.

The corona aftermath is going to create a new kind of patriotism in many countries in many countries. For example, America has long equated patriotism with the armed forces, but you can not shoot a virus. Like it is said ironically, 'the only way for Americans to study geography is through war'; unfortunately,  that is likely to come to an end. Today those on the frontline against the coronavirus are not just conscripts, mercenaries or enlisted men; they are our doctors, nurses, pharmacists, teachers, utility workers and employees. Like many doctors in hospitals, many are suddenly saddled with unfathomable tasks, compounded by an increased risk of contamination and death they never signed for. With all their efforts, we have seen how imperative they have been in our lives, perhaps we will recognise their sacrifices as true patriotism, saluting them, genuflecting and saying; ' Thank you for your service', as we do for military veterans. Already football teams have shown this when they come into pitches with jersey's saluting the NHS. If possible, the public and governments should give them guaranteed health benefits and corporate discounts and build statues and have holidays for this new class of people who sacrifice for their health and their lives for us. Besides, perhaps we will start to understand patriotism more as cultivating the health and life of your community rather than blowing someone else's community-[ referring to endless wars]

In summation, yes the storm that has engulfed us will come to pass, humankind will survive, most of us will be alive- but we will inhabit a different world. The future is uncertain and raises several questions in terms of the aftermath of the pandemic. Humanity needs to make a decisive choice, will we travel down the route of disunity, or will we adopt the path of global solidarity. If we choose disunity, this will not only prolong the crisis but will probably result in even worse catastrophes in the future. If we choose global solidarity, it will be a victory not only against the coronavirus but against all future epidemics and crisis that might assail humankind in the 21st century.