LIFE AS WE KNEW IT

The Covid-19 scare is changing a lot of things and behaviours around the world, some for the worse but maybe some for the better. The worse things of course are:

• People becoming infected and a very high percentage of these dying.
• Collapse of financial markets
• Reduction in tourist travel
• Unemployment
• Disrupted supply chains
• Profiteering
• Mass hysteria and panic
• Cancellation of major meetings, concerts, sporting events and other gatherings

Some good things that may evolve are:

• Collapse of financial markets (and sensible resets)
• Disruption of supply chains and a rethink of trade and trading partners
• Reduction in tourist travel
• Cancellation of major meetings, concerts, sporting events and other gatherings
• Cancellation of religious services*
• An awareness of personal hygiene

I read that one of the cruise ship companies has 'parked' 79 of their monster ships as they don't have enough bookings to sustain them. This can only be a good thing although I feel sorry for the thousands of staff who crewed them. This means that the owners might, at last, clean the bloody things properly and fix the plumbing and sanitation on them.

Airlines are anticipating up to 50% reduction in travel. I guess then that, if they still have maintenance crews on their books, they can do some proper cleaning and maintenance on the overused and overworked planes.

The public safety messages on personal hygiene (hand sanitation and proper washing techniques) are having an effect which hopefully might be long-lasting. Maybe in the future we'll be able to press a lift button, open a public convenience door, use a supermarket trolley or touch a stairway bannister without picking up the residue of some dirty unhygienic bastard who was there before you.

Maybe the world as we know it is due for a reset.

* All things must pass