2020-03: Coronavirus: March 1: The Day the Universe changed

The View from the Bridge is an opinion piece that explores how societal changes can/will impact the future, especially as these changes apply to the Graphic Products industry and small businesses in general.

Editor’s Note: This article provides an insight into how our current crisis is changing our lives and our businesses.  Author John McDaniel started his career as a systems analyst and has continued that skill by analyzing how to apply CorelDRAW to different output processes.  Here he looks at our larger systems.

The View from the Bridge

Think of the View from the Bridge as analysis for the captain of a battleship during conflict. YOU are the captain of your ship (life). We offer our analysis for your consideration.

As time progresses, there is a constant flow of new information coming in for evaluation. Our analysis is presented to help guide the captain’s (your) actions. Knowledge is power.

We will attempt to be brief and to the point. That said, we don’t know, what we don’t know. So, don’t take our conclusions as the only possible future. As the great sage Yoda once said – “Difficult to see. Always in motion is the future…”

COVID-19 – Changing Our Universe

Wow, three months into the new year and more than 1/3 of the US population is under stay-at-home orders.

Years ago, we watched a PBS series titled “The Day the Universe Changed!”. The premise of the series is that our concept of reality changes as we acquire more knowledge. For example, when we discovered the Earth is not the center of the Universe, the universe changed for humanity.

Social Distancing, wearing gloves and masks in public, sanitizing surfaces before touching them, etc., has changed our universe. We, as a species, are awaking to the fact that we are guests of the Earth.

I can use my human body as a temporary home and transportation vehicle while visiting the Earth. However, to “Live Long and Prosper” I must keep my body well fed and watered; and, I must also care for the environment my body is required to live in.

The COVID-19 Pandemic – Nothing New

Pandemics litter history. In the last 100 plus years, humanity has faced SARS, Ebola, HIV, Mad Cow Disease, Bird Flu, and Swine Flu, to name a few.

In 1918 the influenza pandemic was the most severe pandemic in recent history. It was caused by an H1N1 virus with genes of avian origin. It spread worldwide during 1918-1919. It is estimated that about 500 million people or one-third of the world’s population became infected. The number of deaths was estimated to be at least 50 million worldwide (10% of those infected) and 675,000 in the US. (source – 1989 Pandemic H1N1 CDC.gov).

During the Middle Ages, it’s estimated the black plague killed 60% of Europe’s population.

About 2000 years ago, during the reign of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, the Roman Empire faced a pandemic that lasted 15 years. It caused up to 2,000 deaths a day in Rome, one quarter of those infected, giving the disease a mortality rate of about 25%. Total deaths have been estimated at 5 million. (Source – Wikipedia)

Here is an interesting video on the subject…

COVID-19 – Changing daily life

What makes COVID-19 somewhat different is that it is highly contagious. Estimates are that 80 to 90 percent of the US population will contract the disease.

Most will recover. Those with compromised immune systems or other underlying medical issues are at the greatest risk.

Medical professionals are attempting to slow the spread of the disease through social distancing; the use of gloves and masks; recommending we stay home; and sanitizing surfaces we touch when outside our homes.

The hope is that “flatting the curve” will give us time to develop a vaccine and not overwhelm the healthcare system. However, flattening the curve will extend the time we are dealing with this pandemic. It will also change behaviors permanently for many.

COVID-19 – Daily Life

Tuesday, March 22, 2020 – Arizona is not yet on lockdown. It’s 7:30 AM, my fiancé and I are standing in a line of senior citizens that wraps around Costco. We are all waiting for Costco to open and dole out the available toilet paper, paper towels, bottled water, and other items that are in short supply.

The line wraps around the building and snakes back and forth, like the lines at Disneyland I remember. Unbelievable, we haven’t stood in lines like this since the release of Star Wars.

Thursday, March 27, 2020 – my fiancé and I decide to move our wedding date to ASAP.

Sunday, March 29, 2020 – we get married – short reception – afternoon drive and picnic at a Tesla charging station. (If not now, WHEN?)

Tuesday morning, March 31, 2020 – I am looking out our 3rd story apartment window at a major highway that connects Phoenix, Arizona, with Las Vegas, Nevada, Route 60. Traffic today is perhaps 20% of what was normal March 1, 2020 and before. There are long gaps where there is no traffic at all. The mountains I see are smog free!

In Short

Working from home may become the norm. Commuting to an office, not so much or so often. (great for reducing air pollution, not so great for oil producers and gas stations.)    

The economic transformations COVID-19 has initiated will last long after the dis-ease is brought into balance (i.e. suppressed).

These changes will favor small businesses that work from home.

Next time we’ll look at more changes we anticipate.

Our Recommendations

  1. Be at Peace
    • NO amount of worry ever changed anything in my life.
    • I can only control my actions!
  2. Calmly follow healthcare advice whenever possible.
    • Don’t worry if it’s not possible. (refer to rule 1a)
    • Don’t take unnecessary risks. (Please, no more partying at the beach.)
    • Don’t panic – according to some healthcare professionals 80 to 90% of all USA residents will contract the disease.
  3. More recommendations – Next time.

John McDaniel started as a systems analyst for the computer industry many years ago. In 1989, he got involved in the personalization business with CorelDRAW version 1.0. He was quickly recruited by many to help make the transition from manual to computerized engraving.  Out of that was born CorelDRAWHelp training and this magazine. John applied his systems analysis skills to the application of CorelDRAW to a variety of systems — mechanical and laser engravers, printers and vinyl cutters, sublimation and other image transfers, making sandblast masks, screen-printing screens, signs and banners, and personalized gifts. Basically, his background is in analyzing systems. He has written hundreds of articles and tips; lectured across the country; and has been teaching CorelDRAW since 1991.

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