The Virus of Fear
Extreme measures are already starting to have a knock on effect. Take the case of airlines, and of course international meetings, conferences and events with COVID-19 coming home to roost.
"As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread, Norwegian is the latest airline to be hit as it announced on Thursday evening that it is cancelling over 4,000 flights and implementing temporary layoffs to half of its staff."
The supply of cellphone spares, parts for back-up systems sourced via China, and solar energy projects seeing a supply chain interruption in the wake.
Fear, it seems have gripped everyone, including, quite surprisingly a little six year old boy who turned around a watch he has been wearing for months, and started reading on the back.
"Made in China", it said. He threw the watch on the floor and ran to wash his hands! How quickly the rational gives way to the irrational. Is the fear of COVID-19 rational?
It certainly is going to affect the lives of more people who wont even get sick from the virus. Many industries face loss of income and business going under in the next year. The niche market tourist business, say those visiting the Vatican, Jesrusalem or Mecca is facing major loss. The Umrah (to Saudi Arabia) business is facing a R280 million per month setback just from this travel being cancelled.
And the fossil fuels are now dropping in free fall...
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