Much good can come from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Years from now persons may look back upon this as a blessing due to the positive effects that come from it. What are some of these?
1. More People May Prepare Emergency Kits
The federal government has long urged persons to prepare an emergency kit in advance for potential disasters. And I’ve written articles and a chapter in book on the subject in which I urged persons to maintain at least a three week supply of basic essentials[1] instead of the three day supply the government websites recommended then. The quarantining and shortages currently occurring of some products will probably lead to more persons keeping such emergency kits stocked and ready in the future. Stocking at least two months of nonperishable foods is even advisable. But don't do panic buying now.
2. More Reading, Story Telling, and Online Learning
If persons get paid time off work due to quarantining, etc., they may have more time to read books and other educational materials either hard copies or online. Telling stories via phone or Internet or in person when reasonably feasible, taking online classes, etc., can be beneficial. It can be fun as well as educational.
3. Better Government Preparedness
The government maintains emergency stockpiles of many things. But what is learned from the COVID-19 disease can lead to the government recognizing the need to store some items not already stored and to adjust the quantities of certain items already stored. Ventilators, respirators, safety goggles, etc., may be more valuable than gold in certain circumstances. It’s good that the government maintain an adequate supply of these for health care professionals and others for emergencies.
4. Better Cooperation Among Nations
Sharing of information between countries to combat COVID-19 may lead to cooperation in other ways. The conflicts between China, Japan, European countries, the U.S., Mexico, etc., may not end, but incentives to work together to prevent, treat, and find a cure for the novel coronavirus may lead to cooperation in other areas. It certainly indicates that such cooperation is possible.
5. Better Cooperation Among Individuals
COVID-19 can lead more cooperation among persons. Neighbors can help one another by providing groceries, directions on where materials can be gotten, etc.
6. May Lead to More Appreciation of Blessings
Facing a situation with limited food, toilet paper, etc., helps one appreciate how fortunate one is during normal circumstances. And how blessed we are even in difficulties. As persons go from store to store seeking a place to acquire a huge supply of toilet paper, they may appreciate the benefit of having toilet paper all the time.
My mom has told me multiple times of how she used old catalog pages and corncobs instead of toilet paper when she was a child. I don’t want to have to do that--and I couldn’t since the only corn I have is in cans, and I don’t even have a paper catalog. But there are worse things than not having toilet paper. As a freelance writer, I have some old rejected manuscripts from years ago and rejections slips from submissions, I can use for toilet paper if necessary. However, I normally keep enough toilet paper on hand to last a few months, so I doubt I’ll run out.
7. Information Will Be Learned to Help With Future Diseases and Disasters
During this COVID-19 outbreak news media have provided many comparisons to the Spanish flu outbreak that began in 1918, resulting in millions of deaths, the closing of schools and churches, etc. What was learned from that outbreak has helped some in this one. And what is learned in the current outbreak will help in future ones.
8. It May Help Us Attain a Better Perspective on Priorities
One of my weaknesses is being a big college basketball fan. The cancellation the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments and most other organized sporting events may lead to us putting sports in a better perspective. Too many of us (and yes I include me) devote too much time, money, talent, and energy to playing in and watching sporting events that could be used more constructively.
9. Closing Thoughts
The favorite verse of my favorite preacher was Romans 8:28, which states in the King James Version:
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
It’s a great verse. And I’m a firm believer in it. If we love God, the highest righteous authority, and follow God’s leading, Covid-19 will work somehow for good.
Much remains unknown about Covid-19 as I write this. And all the statistics being presented now will likely be revised later when more information becomes available. But a statistic frequently circulated by numerous media sources estimates that 80% of the persons who get the disease have minor or no noticeable symptoms. This is good news.
Another statistic cites United States Surgeon General Jerome Adams as stating the average age of those dying from it is 80, as reported by CNN[2] and others, so a lot of them are hopefully people who have already lived a long and fruitful life and are looking forward to heaven soon. Furthermore, many of them are people suffering from preexisting conditions, such as nursing home residents who presumably are less healthy than the typical senior citizens who may live several years beyond 80.
While I’d love for everyone to live happy and healthy forever, it’s a blessing that relatively few young people suffer from this, unlike the Spanish flu in the early 20th century. By the way, the term Spanish flu is a misnomer. The 1918 flu epidemic apparently began at a United States military training facility in Kansas, and it only spread to Spain and the rest of Europe when U.S. soldiers went there during WWII. Who knows? Maybe it was even some biological warfare experiment gone badly wrong.
Finally, I’m an optimist. I’m confident information gained from this outbreak of COVID-19 will help enable persons to live longer, happier, healthier lives in the future.
ENDNOTES:
[1] James Edwin Gibson; "Preparing for a Winter Weather Emergency"; Google Blogger; December 16, 2019; webpage accessed March 17th, 2020. https://oneopinionsomeviews.blogspot.com/2019/12/preparing-for-winter-weather-emergency.html
[2] Betsy Klein; "The average age of death from coronavirus is 80 US surgeon general says"; CNN; March 9, 2020; webpage accessed march 17th, 2020. https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-03-10-20-intl-hnk/h_756ae86885c0377629fc126a9086a172
NOTE:
This article being submitted to Google Blogger on March 17th, 2020 is very similar to one the author submitted to Craft News Report, a website operated by his friend Paul Craft, on Saturday, March 14th, 2020.
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