The outbreak of Covid-19 is the “black swan” event of 2019 and 2020.
The disease has caused fear, panic, and even discriminatory behaviour against certain nationalities. Despite the large threat posed by Covid-19, there are some silver linings from China that we can be positive about.
A boom in online platforms
Covid-19 has had a huge impact on the global economy, but new business opportunities are emerging. For example, Chinese online communication platforms are experiencing a large increase in revenue.
Due to the quarantines imposed by the Chinese government, stranded students at home are now doing their classes with the help of new technologies and software. In the meantime, companies are encouraging employees to work from home. This has created a high demand for e-commerce, video and gaming websites, online education and video conferencing platforms.
Pet-lovers take action
Many household pets have had to be left alone with limited food and water while their owners are being treated for Covid-19 in quarantine. In various Chinese cities, pet-lovers have formed social groups through online platforms so that pets can receive deliveries of food, water and cuddles.
Having fun in quarantine
In the hospitals in Wuhan, patients of Covid-19 are not wasting away in bed. A lot of patients with light symptoms are continuing their hobby of “public square dancing.” Even doctors got inspired by the music and showed off some of their dance moves. “Fighting disease is as much a mental battle as it is a physical battle for the individual,” an internet user commented after seeing the ‘dancing patients’ in Wuhan.
“Fighting disease is as much a mental battle as it is a physical battle for the individual,”
The Chinese breathe in the air
The US space agency NASA reported a drastic decline in pollution levels over China. Air quality researcher Fei Liu stated that “this year, the reduction rate is more significant than in past years and it has lasted longer.” Chinese citizens in major cities are finally having proper sunshine instead of a constant smoggy haze.
History tells us that even bigger threats than Covid-19 have been faced and conquered. So let us hold our head high and fight our way through this together!
Further reading:
COVID-19, psychose, opportunité et fiction, by Ivan Matovic
Mais qui sera, in fine, la vraie victime de la psychose autour du COVID-19 ?, by Ivan Matovic
Sources:
How the Coronavirus has affected the Chinese Economy, KPMG.
Coronavirus: Nasa images show China pollution clear amid slowdown, BBC, March 2020.
Watching Chinese patients dancing in Hospital, Guancha, February 2020.
