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Word of the day: pandemic. Work in groups. Discuss these questions.. Word of the day: lockdown
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Word of the day: pandemic
Wherever you are in the world, the news over the last few weeks has almost certainly been dominated by one story – the ongoing efforts to stop – or at least contain – the spread of Covid-19, a disease better known by the rather misleading name coronavirus. In fact, coronoviruses are a large family of viruses ranging from the common cold to more serious diseases like SARS. Covid-19 got its name becuase it was identified last year, so its ID was discovered in 2019.
As the disease continues to spread around the world, the news is full of stories about the number of people who have now been infected with the disease and the rising death toll. As I write, more than 3000 people have already died after contracting the disease, a figure which is expected to keep on rising. Despite the fact that they’re closing schools and universities in some countries, cancelling big conferences elsewhere and even restricting free movement, it’s becoming increasingly clear that a mass outbreak is still highly likely.
In effect, what this will mean is that the disease becomes a pandemic. In other words, it will spread in mutiple countries and continents at the same time. It will become a disease that exists around the world, like AIDS or cholera or malaria. Much of what’s driving the current mass hysteria is a fear of the unknown. The worst pandemics of the past killed tens of millions of people, and so far, no-one really knows quite what effect a global outbreak of Covid-19 will have. However, it’s probably not going to be as bad as the worst-case scenario predictions are suggesting. So far, fewer than 2% of those who’ve tested positive for the disease have died, but if you’re aged 70 or over, you’re obviously more at risk.
One major worry is how well the NHS – the National Health System – will be able to cope. Since the financial crisis of 2008, it’s been cut to the bone and even though they’re now taking steps to make sure they’re ready for the disease, it’s still one area of concern. Another fear is that people employed in the gig economy – people who have temporary contracts or who are doing separate pieces of work, each paid separately, rather than working for one employer – won’t be able to afford to take time off if and when they get sick. They don’t get sick pay as they’re not properly employed, and so may carry on working even if they have some of the symptoms of the disease – a bad cough, a temperature and trouble breathing.
In many parts of the world, shops are running out of the essentials like toilet paper, soap. . . and face masks! People have been stockpiling things – buying large amounts of things they think they might need. This allows them to self-isolate – to stay inside for a long period of time, away from other people who may be carrying the disease. Of course, when there are shortages, a black market usually develops and you can buy things you want – at a price!
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Perhaps inevitably, some people are reacting to the current situation in a very superstitious way, believing in the power of luck or magic or God to ward off the disease. And, of course, some people are responding to the never-ending news stories about the disease in a more cynical way. They think the newspapers are simply fearmongering – spreading fear and panic to attract more readers – and they complain about people panic-buying things in the supermarkets.
Unsurprisingly, there are already lots of different conspiracy theories about the disease. In fact, these ideas seem to be spreading faster than the disease itself! For example, some people believe the whole thing is just a way for the government to keep people scared and easy to control, while others think it’s a way for rich business people to inflate prices and make more money!
One thing’s for sure: there’s going to be a lot more news about Covid-19 in the coming days and weeks as governments step up their efforts to combat the disease, and start introducing emergency measures like the Italian government did this week, when they announced that all Serie A football matches will now be played behind closed doors!
Stay calm.
Stay safe out there.
And don’t forget to wash your hands.
Work in groups. Discuss these questions.
How worried about Covid-19 are you? Why?
How well prepared do you think your town / city / country is for a mass outbreak?
What else could be done?
What lessons do you think we can learn from this whole situation?
Have you heard of any superstitious ways of responding to the disease?
Have you heard any conspiracy theories about the disease?
Do you think the story is being well reported or do you think there’s some fearmongering going on?
Word of the day: lockdown
So after weeks of umming and ahing, it’s finally happened: the UK has been placed on lockdown. It’s strange to find myself describing daily life here using a phrase I used to mainly associate with prisons: if there has been trouble in a prison – for example, some prisoners have attacked staff – then the prison is placed on lockdown: all prisoners are locked in their cells for an extended period of time.
In an announcement made on Monday night, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that from now on, there would be strict new curbs on daily life. People may only leave home to exercise once a day, to travel to and from work where absolutely necessary, to shop for essential items, and to fulfil any medical or care needs. Shops selling non-essential goods have been told to shut and public gatherings of more than two people who do not live together will be prohibited. The police will be enforcing these new restrictions – and people breaking the law will be fined.
This news follows weeks of indecision and inaction. The government had previously adopted a very hands-off, laissez-faire approach, Being cheerleaders for free market economics, they seemed to believe that any state intervention in the crisis would lead them open to the kind of accusations of nanny state social engineering that they had often made against left-wing politicians they claimed were keen to control and protect people in a way that limits freedom. Instead, they preferred to try to nudge people towards behavioural change by recommending and advising – rather than using legislation to force people to change. As the busy parks, pubs and restaurants last weekend showed, people simply didn’t heed official advice – and in the meatime, the death toll was steadily rising.
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Many people believe that what forced the government into a U-turn this week was a realisation of the fact that our health service simply won’t be able to cope with the growing numbers of people being admitted with coronavirus. Over the last ten years, the NHS – the National Health Service – has been starved of funds. The service has been cut to the bone in a bid to save money – and now we’re facing a national emergency, it’s clearly already being stretched to breaking point. Add to this the fact that over 10, 000 EU nationals have left the NHS since the 2016 Brexit referendum and you have a recipe for disaster!
The current measures are designed to relieve pressure on the NHS, but many experts are saying they still don’t go far enough. Despite the lockdown, people taking the tube in London this week have said that it’s still packed – partly as a result of the restricted service they’ve started running to save money! Some people also still seem to be in denial about the whole thing, and seem to think they’re somehow immune to the threat! Under such circumstances, who knows what might happen next. Public transport might be closed down altogether. A curfew might be imposed, meaning everyone has to be home by a certain hour. Only time will tell.
You might be wondering what all of this has meant for me personally. Well, my kids are now off school and on lockdown, so we’re trying to home-school them as best we can. I’m only popping out once a day at most – and then just to get essential provisions from the local Turkish shops. I’m reading a lot, listening to a lot of music and using the phone more than I have done since I was a teenager! I’ve joined a local neighbourhood group on WhatsApp, designed to help the elderly and vulnerable in our community – and I’ve started doing hour-long live sessions on our Facebook page every Saturday morning to keep in touch with all you lovely people out there as well! Maybe see you there!
Well, that’s all for now.
Stay safe.
Stay calm.
Stay connected.
Want to learn more language with Lexical Lab? Take our ENGLISH BOOST course this summer.
Work in groups. Discuss these questions.
How similar is the situation in your country to the situation in the UK?
Do you think you’d be OK at coping during lockdown?
What curbs on life have been put into place where you are?
Are the police enforcing any new restrictions?
What else could be done that hasn’t been done yet?
Have you heard of nudge theory before? How do you feel about it?
How confident are you about the ability of the health service where you are to cope with the current crisis?
Do you know anyone who’s still in denial about Cov-19?
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