It's been roughly one year since the first lockdown but in fact it feels like two to me. Logic would say life slows down when you're forced to stay home and half of your old life is non existent as you can't do the things you did before, but that is true for some, not for me.
Today I decided to look back and see what has changed and how. Bear with me as it's an interesting journey, also you can write your own post about how you see life after one year of pandemic.
Image by Klaus Hausmann from Pixabay
Healthcare
This invisible enemy has caught everyone off guard, individuals as well as institutions. No one was prepared for a life that followed after the first cases of covid-19 was detected.
The first shock came when all the gloves, masks, medical alcohol, sanitizers were missing for months. Then when these were available again, we had to pay 10x what normally one item costs. The first sign how vulnerable we are, how much we depend on other countries for simple items like the above mentioned ones.
Hospitals were filled with covid-19 patients in a couple of weeks and it became obvious that there's no way of giving every patient the treatment they need. ICU units were overcrowded and only the lucky ones got to be treated at the ICU. Patience with less chance to survive were not among them.
The solution to this very serious problem was to set up support units, usually in large spaces like sports halls and allocate medical personnel. This looked goon in the news, but reality showed otherwise. ICU doctors are trained specialists, not just doctors. An ophthalmologist of a general practitioner, even though both are doctors with years of medical training, cant replace an ICU doctor. When these extra units were set up, ICU units were long full, overcrowded and ICU doctors super busy, working day and night months in a row, there was no spare ICU doctor, so the solution was to redirect whoever was available.
Now as much as I appreciate having these special units, unfortunately the covid-19 patients did not get the best care.
Another sad angle of the story is that many of the wards have been overcrowded with medical equipment and the electrical network were not designed to handle this level of electricity consumption. At least two hospitals caught fire in my country in the last year, lives were lost and there's a high chance many of these improvised medical units are not up to standards from electrical point of view, therefore in danger of burning down.
Hospitals were closed abut one year ago, only emergencies were treated. After one year hospitals were opened up partially, forcing doctors to choose who deserves to be treated. It's a hell of a burden on a doctor's shoulders, playing God with other people's life. Waiting lists are as long as my arm.
Vaccination is a blessing, many are happy to get the vaccine and feel safe afterwards, but the chaos that comes with it is nerve racking.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Individuals
After one year of protective measures, restrictions and social distancing pretty much everyone is , fed up, tired of covid-19 and the whole fuss that comes with it. Every day I have to warn several people to respect social distancing, wear the mask properly and the reaction on their behalf sometimes is disrespectful and comes with aggressiveness.
People are tired, some are still ignorant and as I said, disrespectful. After losing millions on a global level, we still can't respect our fellow citizens.
What Have We Learnt?
Pandemics of this magnitude in Europe are very rare or non existent, fortunately, but covid-19 has shown us how vulnerable we are and not prepared for anything like this. Another one can hit us anytime and no one can guarantee there will not be another one. I'm firmly convinced authorities have no long term plan to handle unexpected situations like this one.
Some of the businesses have adapted to the new situation, moved their sales online, others had to put the padlock on the door forever.
Most of the state treasuries are empty, debts are accumulating and the situation is getting worse and worse.
Tourism is still restricted or non existent as even after vaccination quarantine is mandatory.
Is there any good thing in our life after one year of battle with this invisible enemy. Do you see any progress that can drive us out for this situation? Do you see the light at the end of the tunnel?