Tõnu Naelapea
This official slogan of the British government was utilized to great positive effect in WW II, especially during the Blitz. It was created to quell panic, allay fear. Both reactions are natural to humans. But catchphrases such as this when combined with the famous British stiff upper lip and inspiring political leadership kept the people if not grounded then from dangerous overreaction. Alas, in North America we have seen none of the above, especially leadership during the present pandemic.
Steps that have been taken are too little, too late. Mind-boggling to consider that people actually travelled abroad during March break. Closing the border - not only with the USA but not allowing travel to the island provinces – serves no purpose as the COVID-19 is now being spread through community contact, not travel. Still, what were they thinking? Part of the problem was the complacency of our elected leaders. The Prime Minister being abroad, the Premier telling people to enjoy themselves.
The imposition of sensible rules of behaviour such as the initially poorly formed term social distancing, now rightly physical, should have come intuitively, not mandated. And how can it be enforced? The PM and mayor using threatening words have not been of use when addressing an already concerned, anxious if not outright scared populace. As always it is the minority, the nervous Nellies that has an effect on the majority with a snowball effect. Social media is a major hindrance.
Did we not learn anything from SARS? Blatantly, the Chinese sure did not and they shoulder the blame for the pandemic. They will never be called to task though, which also boggles the mind.
The importance of government intervention as with above catchphrase cannot be overemphasized. The Brits avoided panic; here hoarding is only one example of a poorly informed populace. Selfish and irrational, this behaviour will only increase pressure on society. The Brits actually ate better during the war than before. Vegetables were never a big part of the diet, now they needed to be. Rationing was accepted as necessary. Less meat meant healthier meals. Just look at the Americans, where obesity is a growing, pardon the pun, concern. Meat in some form is eaten daily.
In Toronto we already have rationing in the form of limits on purchase of certain items. A Brit laughed when we discussed the idiotic toilet paper shortage. Bathroom tissue was unknown during the war and even after in the countryside. A square of newspaper, such as many of us saw in occupied Estonia on a nail in the loo had to make do. Unless one was wise enough to have some in one’s pocket. Hard to believe the theft of toilet paper from public washrooms. Again, what are people thinking? And now it is a perishable – milk. Turns out people are freezing it, although later it will have icy clumps. Why not be rational, keep purchases to the weekly usual so that all can have access as was the case before the pandemic?
Profiting from crisis has always been a human trait. Black markets are the common result. But when lives are at stake it is utterly offensive to gouge, corner the market and resell with obscene profit hygienic, sanitary and disinfecting products. As well as face masks, some of which are not effective in protecting the wearer, only others. Hoarding and profiting is not only unconscionable but also immoral during a pandemic.
And the final question mark concerns the definition of essential. People are finding loopholes and taking advantage of them. And two specific retail outlets being placed in the essential category make one wonder. The provincial alcohol monopoly LCBO remains open because officials are concerned about those who cannot survive without their daily bottle. And many, even working from home welcome the ease that it brings during very stressful times. Well, OK, perhaps. But Dollarama? Just because they have a few food items on their shelves? Really?
Churchillian statesmanship can hardly be expected. Leadership however is. The Brits knew well that the social fabric depends on the individual. Thus it is up to each and every one of us to practice common sense and follow the example of the British. It is a common goal that we have. COVID-19 will be around for some time, no one can say for how long. The likelihood of each and every one of us coming into contact with the virus is almost a certainty. None of us is immortal, some may have better resistance. Sad to say, Darwin’s survival of the fittest applies. If we continue in our spoiled First World expectation way this pandemic will have more victims in a world that has been changed forever.
