Times to come
I see two possible outcomes to the Covid-19 pandemic for this country. The first is if we care about others and follow the proper protocol. The second is if we stay self-centered and only care about our own selfish needs and wants.
If we follow the protocol and guidelines given to us, this virus will be less devastating. It will continue to decline through May as places slowly open again. By June, restaurants, museums, and movie theatres will open again to limited capacity. By July or August bigger events, like concerts and plays, might be able to open. I see a second wave by the end of the year (maybe even as early as mid-September), but it won’t be as bad as the first wave. It’ll prompt lockdowns, but the duration will be shorter and the virus will quickly run it’s shortened term. The third and final wave will hit about March of next year and be even less harsh. By mid-summer of 2021 it will have run it’s course and the world will be able to pick up the pieces and slowly move into a new normal. The next president will have a hard task to rebuild this country.
If we let selfishness rule, the results will be far worse for this country. The loss will be catastrophic! If things open too quickly and people flock back to everything as if things were returning to “normal”, the second wave will hit by mid-June. And following in the footsteps of the epidemic of 1918, it will be far worse than the first wave. The loss of life will be much higher. This will take us through the summer and into the fall, finally fading out by late October. If we still do not learn, the third wave will come in January, though it will be less destructive. If we learn from the second wave, the third wave will likely return in March and will still be less harsh. The loss of life in this country could be 25% to 30% of the population. If we follow the protocols and guidelines, the loss will be closer to 15% to 17% (though it might be much lower, depending on our actions).
If we follow the protocol and guidelines given to us, this virus will be less devastating. It will continue to decline through May as places slowly open again. By June, restaurants, museums, and movie theatres will open again to limited capacity. By July or August bigger events, like concerts and plays, might be able to open. I see a second wave by the end of the year (maybe even as early as mid-September), but it won’t be as bad as the first wave. It’ll prompt lockdowns, but the duration will be shorter and the virus will quickly run it’s shortened term. The third and final wave will hit about March of next year and be even less harsh. By mid-summer of 2021 it will have run it’s course and the world will be able to pick up the pieces and slowly move into a new normal. The next president will have a hard task to rebuild this country.
If we let selfishness rule, the results will be far worse for this country. The loss will be catastrophic! If things open too quickly and people flock back to everything as if things were returning to “normal”, the second wave will hit by mid-June. And following in the footsteps of the epidemic of 1918, it will be far worse than the first wave. The loss of life will be much higher. This will take us through the summer and into the fall, finally fading out by late October. If we still do not learn, the third wave will come in January, though it will be less destructive. If we learn from the second wave, the third wave will likely return in March and will still be less harsh. The loss of life in this country could be 25% to 30% of the population. If we follow the protocols and guidelines, the loss will be closer to 15% to 17% (though it might be much lower, depending on our actions).