These are scary times. And we’re still not doing enough to contain corona. (#CancelEverything.)
But the reason to act is not that the apocalypse is nigh; it’s that the right steps will save lives and allow us to weather the storm.
So here’s some much-needed optimism.
[Thread]
But the reason to act is not that the apocalypse is nigh; it’s that the right steps will save lives and allow us to weather the storm.
So here’s some much-needed optimism.
[Thread]
There are five reasons to be guardedly optimistic about corona’s long-term impact *IF* we act right now.
1)Social distancing works
2)Science is amazing
3)Economies rebound
4)Lemons and lemonade
5)Puppies
1)Social distancing works
2)Science is amazing
3)Economies rebound
4)Lemons and lemonade
5)Puppies
1) Social Distancing Works
Corona is spreading exponentially. In America and many European countries cases of corona are doubling every few days.
But in countries that took extreme steps to increase social distancing, cases of corona have stagnated or declined.
Corona is spreading exponentially. In America and many European countries cases of corona are doubling every few days.
But in countries that took extreme steps to increase social distancing, cases of corona have stagnated or declined.
China, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore have all managed to make a remarkable bend in their growth curves.
In many places, each day now brings news of more old patients being healed than new ones being infected.
In many places, each day now brings news of more old patients being healed than new ones being infected.
When you deal with exponential numbers, the math gets very counterintuitive.
The difference between canceling a lot of stuff today or tomorrow can’t possibly be big, right?
Wrong. Very wrong.
Acting now will reap huge rewards.
medium.com/@tomaspueyo/co…
The difference between canceling a lot of stuff today or tomorrow can’t possibly be big, right?
Wrong. Very wrong.
Acting now will reap huge rewards.
medium.com/@tomaspueyo/co…
2) Science is amazing
History is full of deadly diseases that become manageable or go extinct: syphilis, measles, even AIDS.
Over time, we might find a vaccine for corona. Or antiviral drugs. Or better treatment options.
History is full of deadly diseases that become manageable or go extinct: syphilis, measles, even AIDS.
Over time, we might find a vaccine for corona. Or antiviral drugs. Or better treatment options.
Scientists need time to develop these drugs and treatments and vaccines.
Thousands of brilliant minds are working around the clock to save human lives.
Help them have impact.
Flatten. The. Curve.
Thousands of brilliant minds are working around the clock to save human lives.
Help them have impact.
Flatten. The. Curve.
Sidenote:
It’s naïve to think we can get a vaccine or antiviral drugs for corona very quickly just by abolishing regulation.
Inventions take time.
BUT it is also important that we expedite the testing and approval of measures as much as humanly possible.
It’s naïve to think we can get a vaccine or antiviral drugs for corona very quickly just by abolishing regulation.
Inventions take time.
BUT it is also important that we expedite the testing and approval of measures as much as humanly possible.
3) Economies rebound
In the short-term, the economic fallout from corona will be enormous.
Widespread bankruptcies or a corporate debt crisis could drag the economy down even in the medium-term.
This is no joke.
In the short-term, the economic fallout from corona will be enormous.
Widespread bankruptcies or a corporate debt crisis could drag the economy down even in the medium-term.
This is no joke.
Even so, it’s worth remembering that long-term economic growth is determined by all the things we humans and our machines are capable of producing.
And corona will, hopefully, only have a limited impact on that.
And corona will, hopefully, only have a limited impact on that.
In the early 2000s, a debt and currency crisis decimated the Argentinian economy. Things looked apocalyptic.
But then the economy started to rebound.
If policy-makers adopt the right measures, that could be true after corona, too.
But then the economy started to rebound.
If policy-makers adopt the right measures, that could be true after corona, too.
4) Lemons and lemonade
The next weeks will be very, very challenging for millions of people.
* Constant childcare.
* No paychecks.
* Loneliness.
* Fights.
Social distancing has heavy costs.
The next weeks will be very, very challenging for millions of people.
* Constant childcare.
* No paychecks.
* Loneliness.
* Fights.
Social distancing has heavy costs.
But if the lemons are, tragically, inevitable, so should be our determination to make lemonade.
The next weeks also hold out opportunity for:
* Spending quality time with family
* Learning a new skill
* Reading a lot
* Pursuing hobbies and artistic projects
The next weeks also hold out opportunity for:
* Spending quality time with family
* Learning a new skill
* Reading a lot
* Pursuing hobbies and artistic projects
For what it’s worth, here are some ideas:
* Learn computer programming by taking Harvard’s CS50 on EdX
* Pick up a language with Duolingo and italki
* Read The Leopard or Anna Karenina
* Play some board games with your family. (Like, say, Pandemic?)
* Learn computer programming by taking Harvard’s CS50 on EdX
* Pick up a language with Duolingo and italki
* Read The Leopard or Anna Karenina
* Play some board games with your family. (Like, say, Pandemic?)
5) Puppies
According to the latest research, cats and dogs do not transmit the coronavirus.
So please give Rover a very energetic bellyrub for me.
Because in these times, we all need the companionship of a very good boy.
According to the latest research, cats and dogs do not transmit the coronavirus.
So please give Rover a very energetic bellyrub for me.
Because in these times, we all need the companionship of a very good boy.
My point in warning about what is about to happen was not to sow panic; it was to push for what we need to do to stay safe.
Now, my point in focusing on the good news is not to spread complacency; it is to emphasize that we can beat this thing if we take the right steps.
[End]
Now, my point in focusing on the good news is not to spread complacency; it is to emphasize that we can beat this thing if we take the right steps.
[End]
Just wanted to add one more hopeful prediction: maternity wards are going to be very, very busy nine to ten months from now!
Oh, no - I forgot to post the most important tweet!!
5)Puppies
According to the latest research, cats and dogs do not transmit the coronavirus.
So please give Rover a very energetic bellyrub for me.
Because in these times, we all need the companionship of a very good boy.
5)Puppies
According to the latest research, cats and dogs do not transmit the coronavirus.
So please give Rover a very energetic bellyrub for me.
Because in these times, we all need the companionship of a very good boy.
A few of you complained about my undue focus on puppies.
So here is a very important public health message delivered by a cartoon kitten.
Enjoy!
So here is a very important public health message delivered by a cartoon kitten.
Enjoy!
