Endemic Normalcy - The Calm after the storm ?

“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.” ― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

So here we are, the end is in sight and a new brave new world will emerge from the ravages of Covid 19 and all will be right in the world. It depends on your view and if the glass is half full, half empty or the whole thing was a massive conspiracy. Either way you're entitled to your opinions, just don’t keep sharing them if politely asked to "stop."

The Eighteen months that have passed since the pandemic took hold have seen some tumultuous events and shown the frailties of many countries. Economically, socially, and culturally the countries of the world have dealt with this pandemic with varying degrees of practicality, ruthlessness and incompetency or a combination of all three.

Endemic Normal - what it is?

It's basically living with the virus on the basis that it is prevalent throughout your locale. Many countries are living and experiencing it already and others are facing up to it for the first time on account of splendid isolation, most notably a great island nation like Australia and there's New Zealand too. Other countries in the APAC region like Vietnam and Thailand also tried valiantly but failed to keep their countries Covid free and are now (like Australia) feeling the brunt of a new wave.

The old mind set of “protect everyone and lock down society when cases spike” will need to be resisted, although easier said than done. Science shows that due to decent efficacy of most vaccines, hospitalisations, and death for the double vaccinated, although a problem is negligible in comparison to those who are partially vaccinated. The non-vaccinated of course sadly are those who suffer the most and by a very long way.

Remember the majority of those who are NOT vaccinated are in the poorer countries of the world and many would love the opportunity to have a vaccination. These people and countries must become the priority of the rich countries. Then there are the "non vaccinated" who cannot have a vaccine due to health reasons they must be protected. Those who do not wish to be vaccinated due to fears imagined or real, must be accommodated for as well.

So as the vaccination rates rise societies must open. I have seen so many discussions in recent months about the "Apartheid of the Anti Vaxxers" and the contentious approaches taken by governments and employers imposing their wills on people. In principle I think this is wrong and a dangerous precedent. However, when I look to the US where the number of unvaccinated dying is out of control it must be a case of common-sense prevailing. If by travelling overseas or even interstate the unvaccinated (by becoming sick) use the valuable medical resources meant for local people to their detriment, then they should probably be excluded from visiting in the first place or purchase full private insurance (which will be probably unaffordable if unvaccinated.)

At last, everyone will have the freedom to move around to socialise, to reconnect to family, to fornicate, to celebrate, to bathe, to make new friends. to share in the culture of music, theatre, and sports and so much more; but at what price?

The reality is that fundamental changes and adjustments to the way we need to think, work, live and do business are here for a while. Possibly a very long time.

What we can expect when we do embrace "endemic normalcy" especially if we chose to travel and explore. There will be things that will become a way of life: -

• Vaccine "passports" of some kind will be required both domestically and abroad for all manner of things from service delivery to dining to gyms.
• QR codes for everything will be everywhere
• Contactless everything - Airports / Hotel check in - They'll be apps for everything and new tech appearing across the spectrum
• Travel and health insurance stipulations which may vary country to country or state by state
• Self-managed "self-isolation period" trusted by but backed up. with authoritarian tracking
• Mask wearing, social distancing and of course constant hand washing

If this is a now to be a pandemic for the unvaccinated in rich countries, are those who are vaccinated willing to pay the price and surrender some freedoms to be "normal" again. Importantly too, at what point will these freedoms be reinstated or will they never. At the end of the day anyone carrying a mobile device is already being tracked.

Big tech will no doubt continue to profiteer and exploit their market advantages, allowing the spread of misinformation that continues to divide us. In some authoritarian countries technology is using technology to aggressively control its' populations, it has a lot to answer for,

Finishing with Australia, which is my home, Covid has revealed to all of us the "Games of Thrones" divisions within a young federal country. Federal level politicians have played down party lines, while some Premiers have nurtured state-based jingoism. Thankfully most of us have kept level heads, but many won't forget their treatment at the hands of the powerful.

Either way, the Murdoch press roll on spinning webs of lies and misinformation designed to divide us and for what aim, I guess we'll just find out.

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