A Post after a 5 KM run - COVID 19 new normal

Here I am, sitting in my attic, having done a full 35 mins or roughly 5 km run around my neighbourhood. I am still sweating out the effects of the hot morning run. I take a leaf from the great George Sheehan who used to run 5km to 10km and then pen his thoughts soon after his run when the endorphins have been realeased and the mind is at its clearest. He was a regular contributor to the magazine Runner's World.

I started at approximately 10.20 am and waited till all the people who went past my house to clear before I started my run. Today is April 25th 2020. 

This virus is a big  bitch. Life as we know it will be altered,for some, irreversibly until we can find a worldwide effective vaccine. The current measures which include lockdown in many countries, reduced movement coupled with strict social distancing and use of masks will continue for some time as far as I can see.

Even if we 'flatten' the curve of new infections so to speak,we as a country will still need to have the entire population tested for antibodies (5.5M) which will take about a full 6 months if we can test (for example) 20,000 people per day.Then again, that would cover some 3.5 million. 

2 Sentinels in tribute to Amenhotep III (Egypt Dec 2009)

The suggestion below is purely my own. 

The main issue after we test then, is what to do with the results. For those who have the immunity or antibodies, (I reckon at least 70 to 80%), they can safely move around with the "Green Health Cert" and continue with the New Normal of life. 

The 10% who are deemed 'at risk' will perhaps need to adjust to another shared space, BUT without ostracising them in any way. They may be the elderly frail , those with pre-existing co-morbities or with multiple health issues. Perhaps mandating that they have some special support sevices to buy food, at specially selected times, attend certain essential services like hair dressing or the barbers and other specially designed times for dining and the like.

My only fear is that we MUST NOT ostracise this group. They are the vulnerable and are not just the elderly frail.  

The 10% who have recovered can probably rejoin the workforce, and then some semblance of normal life will continue. It MUST. We as human beings are social animals first and foremost. We are so used to doing things and mingling with each other. That is pre-determined in our DNA. To include and serve everybody regardless of creed, sex, age, social standing and religion. It is enshrined in our National Pledge and we will continue to uphold the value of inclusiveness and rights for every individual. 

Of course, the issue is clouded with the caveat of 'protecting the greater good of society'. Which comes first in priorty ? Human right or the greater collective good of people in society ?    

I believe wearing masks in MRTs and even taxis, shared vehicles (Grab) will continue till the end of this year.    

The things we used to do for fun, in the past, can slowly re-open, such as dining in, provided the 'Green Health Cert' and on site temperatures are taken. Pubs, entertainment outlets and cinemas, theatres, and parks, gyms, pools, member clubs will be re-opened in phases with some degree of maximum seating in all establishments.

The contact tracing should remain, though it should never be invading into person's private identity and space. As can be seen, the Case Numbers normally do not highlight the individual's personal details as this will only cause massive stigmatisation even though he or she did nothing wrong except fall sick.

I am very hopeful that by end of this the 70 odd clinical trials which are ongoing from many countries will emerge at least 5 vaccines for the whole world and we will then be able to live life without masks and engage in the social norms, of course with some restrictions still in place.

We must surely succeed !