It was over 4 years ago that the Covid pandemic started. It is still here. But most of the structures of power seem bent on pretending it is over. Acting like it is not a problem anymore.
Despite the fact that it very much is.
The emergency state is over, that much is very clear. But the response to the disease should be ongoing and, crucially, it must recognise reality and face it.
Schools are being forced to close because teachers are sick and relief is not available. Guess they might be sick too. Or perhaps sick of being sick.
It is possible to plan a credible strategy to “Live with the Virus”. A lot of research has been released. Scientists understand better how Sars-Cov-V2 spreads. Mass and clean air work. We know how to filter it. It is possible to disperse it and if societies decided to clean the air in public spaces, work places, and schools, people would be not only be healthier, but also more clear headed.
Covid can be mitigated. The long term effects of the illness are still to be revealed but researchers have been able to understand so far paint a concerning picture.
Any and all of the organs in the human body can be affected. The heart, the brain and the immune system seem to suffer consequences relatively often. Reinfections are common and seem to compound the risk of serious damage.
Variants are now a constantly mutating soup, making infection acquired immunity nearly meaningless.
Everyone is vulnerable!
Still, there is no long term plan.
The agreed action is apparently to not talk about it. To not think about the implications of repeated infection across the population from a pathogen that damages the brain, immune system and circulatory system, potentially for a long time.
Not to think about the responsibility to children who cant help but rely on adults for their protection. What will be of them after 1 or 2 infections a year? How will they make it to adulthood?
There is a popular folktale called The Emperor’s New Clothes, in which con artists trick the fashion obsessed Emperor into believing they are in possession of the finest fabric in the world, and it is only visible to people of virtue. Invisible to flawed individuals.
So the Emperor gets a dress done, and everyone of his officials pretend to see it. They all gush and celebrate the wonder that this dress is. Except for a child who points out that the Emperor has no clothes. And the spell finally breaks.
I understand that people don’t want to face it. It is a terrible reality. Disease is scary, and this one can be devastating. Change is hard. I get it, I really do.
But it will not get better until collective action is taken to materially improve the environments in which the virus spreads.
Every day I hope the spell will break and everyone will see that the Emperor has no clothes. And that COVID is not over.
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