When it started happening far away from me I also thought people were exaggerating, but how stupid and careless was I. How I feel like a cretin now.
Because, like me initially, people thought this was just another flu, and therefore weren’t fast acting and careful in isolating themselves, in helping to stop this highly contagious virus from spreading; because governments didn’t shut down or controlled passengers in airports and traffic between countries soon enough NOW countries don’t have the means necessary to treat everyone that is getting sick. Too many too quick. There aren’t enough ventilators for the risky cases. 60+ year old people are being left to die when they had so many years still ahead.
My mom is almost 60 and she’s the fittest person I know, full of life and ambition. My dad too, he was even about to get married.
Don’t think lightly of this, don’t make the same mistake Italy and Spain did, and many like my country, Portugal, did and are doing.
People tend to forget that just 100 years ago 50 million people died due to the Spanish Influenza, and it took 2 years to reach the whole world, but it got everywhere even without airplanes.
Until there’s a vaccine most non-essential businesses will be closed, so many will be unemployed, and will lose their small businesses. Maybe it won’t take 2 years this time, but believe me it will still be too long.
We will all suffer one way or another, bigger than the 2008 crisis, bigger than the recent wars, bigger than the tsunamis and other natural catastrophes that ever happened in Man’s time.
This is going to be biggest, most tragic, and stupid thing most of us has ever seen.
I hope I’m wrong but I’m not usually. I’m very sound of mind, pragmatic, and not prone to delusions.
I’m trying to be brave and face what comes with hopefulness, and the determination to live and be happy even in such extraordinary and dire circumstances.
Take care! Stay home! Help each other by being careful, and by helping support the arts and small businesses the way you can.
We are lucky in this age of the internet, we can buy online, we can ship stuff to each other, and we can still socialize, see and speak with our friends and family online, without having to put other people’s lives at risk, so let’s do that ❤️
xoxo
Caia
P. S.: check my links to help this girl that’s stuck at home.
@lemon @rambo @missy