Covid-19 outbreak has seen man reveal his selfish side

MAN always had a fear for the unknown, the vast expanse of the seas and the universe, of heights, sea monsters and giants.

But now, the tiniest of living creatures is causing death, fear, panic, and havoc around the world. It’s like an opportunistic predator, striking down the sick and the elderly.

What is more worrying is that, in some cases, people infected with Covid-19 show no symptoms.

As Kevin Govender wrote in “A world spinning out of control” in the POST (March 18 – 22), it has sent the world spinning, hurtling into self-destruction.

As the virus spreads rapidly, it has caused major social and economic upheaval around the world. With the infection and death rate soaring, there have been major disruptions to human activity.

Cities and countries are under lockdown, and health services are under pressure.

Travel and tourism have been badly affected. With thousands of flights cancelled around the world, airlines are spinning out of control.

Perhaps worse than the effects of the virus on human health is the economic impact.

Stock markets have crashed, wiping out trillions of dollars of investments overnight.

Factories have cut down on production and restaurants, bars, and entertainment centres have had to close, putting many out of work.

If the contagion is not brought under control soon, which seems most unlikely, a global recession looms.

While many businesses have been badly hit, some even having to shut their doors, retailers have been having a Christmas bonanza.

Consumers around the world panicked and dashed into shopping malls and shops emptying the shelves of essential items, leaving none for those who come later.

Like squirrels, they have been scurrying around, stocking up for the bleak times ahead.

It’s each man for himself and reveals a selfish side of humanity.

But what has toilet paper got to do with coronavirus? It is a flu-like illness and does not cause dysentery or diarrhoea.

I went to Clicks, and there was no toilet paper.

Even in England, toilet paper has flown off the shelves.

But how could the minutest of living creatures, that is not even visible to the human eye, be such a threat to a mighty man?

Not all his armies and his vast array of modern weapons can stop the advance of this little enemy. How vulnerable we are!

Would prayers alone stop it? I doubt it. If prayers were that effective, there would be no need for medical science, doctors and hospitals as all the ills of the world would have been cured.

The Almighty cares not if you are dying of coronavirus or cancer.

T MARKANDAN

Kloof