When, in December last year, the first cases of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection hit the news, we probably did not think about the impact it would have on our daily lives. Just 'some new disease', of which there are many. The fact that a few people in China have fallen ill is no reason to worry, is it? After all, winter is upon us - we need to prepare for our annual flu "epidemic". I suspect that after the first cases in Wuhan, no one expected a 'butterfly effect' and the development of a pandemic like the world hasn't seen in a long time." [This article is from April 2020]
Table of contents:
Start in Poland
on 4 March, the virus (officially) arrived in Poland. The news of the first confirmed case of the disease caused extreme feelings. For many, the first case was even 'expected' (although rather by those who did not realise how serious the consequences of infection could be) - after all, there are more and more cases in Europe, almost all neighbours already have someone ill, but us? How about we get away with it? Maybe we are a 'chosen people', with special protection? OK, maybe not supernaturally, but we're just an exceptionally sensible nation and we know how to behave so as not to spread infection. Well, no, the 4th of March came and the onset of sickness in Poland did happen after all. It had to happen, it was nothing unusual in our world, which is a global village where people are constantly on the move. Others, on the other hand, read with horror all the information about the "approaching" of the virus to Poland and, eventually, about the first illness, which started digging in their home fortresses, shopping "for later", almost writing the first sentences of their wills. In any case, the second group of people is characterised by fear and actions, essentially irrational.
How am I?
Subconsciously, we feel that neither group is doing the right thing. But, at the same time, we feel at peace because, in essence, we don't belong to either of them, do we? We have a conviction about ourselves that we are acting rationally. Well, yes, we have made some provisions, but without exaggeration, "it's not tons of food". But it is a convenient thing to do, seemingly out of precaution. It is convenient to go to the shop and stock up. It doesn't require much effort. In fact, this behaviour is part of the fashionable consumerist trend - 'it's better to have more'. But what about actions that actually have an impact on the spread of the epidemic? After all, the virus does not "spread" on its own, but is transmitted by us. That's why it's so important that perhaps the 5 kilos of rice you buy should be exchanged for 5 litres of hand disinfectant (it's important that it's high-alcohol based!)?
How has the pandemic affected cosumption?, photo: panthermedia
Just then, there is another important point - you need to use this liquid frequently and correctly! Wiping the hands and the "feeling of freshness" are not enough to speak of proper disinfection (correct hand washing regimens can be found on the Internet). Medicine used incorrectly does not work. And there is no shortage of food in Poland and, really, we don't need to stock up - just simple shopping once a week.
Correct procedure
The amount of information on how to behave, what to do and what to avoid is enormous. We really do hear #stayathome, #avoid, #washout from everywhere. Of course, everyone's situation is different. Nevertheless, it turns out that some of our work can be done remotely, without leaving home. And this is the basic recommendation - STAY AT HOME! The less social contact you have, the less opportunity you have to pass the virus on to yourself. Many people do not even know they are infected - they are so-called asymptomatic carriers, but passing it on to an immunocompromised person can become tragic for them. Let us remember others.
We are learning to be able to shop online. We are discovering that the civ .gov.pl portal works well, where we can handle many official matters without leaving home. We find that we are able to survive without shopping for clothes or electronics.
Perhaps we "need" such a pandemic to turn this consumerist spiral on its head? Maybe, thanks to the epidemic state, we will slow down, appreciate family time? After all, we complain so much about the amount of work, the perpetual busyness, "I have no time for anything", "when was the last time I read a book", etc.? Perhaps now is just the time? Books don't just look nice on the shelf. And how nice they smell inside, especially unopened for years. Maybe this is the moment to find out?
