The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
COVID-19: Rare Moment For Humankind?
With nearly 100,000 infected and 25,000 dead, France is shut down.
In a very rare moment in human history, as we all complain about being confined to our homes, for what is now going on three months, which is about how long most places are in lockdown that have taken extreme measures. Less extreme only lasted a month, while the average for lockdowns around the world, save for China, was about two months. While this may be a “tough and trying” time for humans, especially the ones whose lives are completely and forever changed by the CCP virus or COVID-19, it has been an amazing opportunity for plant life, fish life, and animal life to flourish.
This is history. You have lived through quite a few events already. I know I have. There are people who are over one hundred years old who have some faint memories of living through the Spanish flu of 1918 which technically started in 1916. These are photos from the Spanish Flu of 1918 that show an eerily strange resemblance of today’s COVID-19 pandemic. Similar measures are taking place today, though we are likely more informed, have more technology, and were given factual information a lot faster than pure speculation, though unfortunately, by the time world governments actually took it serious, it was already too late.
People walk through Jianguomen subway station, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Beijing, China February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins SEARCH “CHINA GHOST” FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH “WIDER IMAGE” FOR ALL STORIES. – RC2PWE9COJOA
Fortunately, because of the information and technology we have, only about a million or two people will probably die. This sounds like a lot, but confirmed cases of the Spanish Influenza were estimated to be around 500 million, while the death toll was between 17,000,000–50,000,000+. Far less than COVID-19 which would have killed many more if the world had acted indifferent towards it and treated it like a normal flu virus, which some countries chose to do, specifically Sweden, who chose the “herd immunity” route in which there is an acceptance that there will be a certain amount of death, but that enough people will contract the virus, go through the incubation period, get sick, recover, and now they can no longer infect anyone. The countries that did lockdown, particularly in Asia, have very strict laws that may result in fines for breaking quarantine and risking lives.
There are some wild animals who have become largely dependent on humans for sustanence but other animals are absolutely flourishing beautifully without humans meaning that our very presence is tolerated, and while no animals are plotting against humans, they probably are indifferent to us, especially if we are not around. Even the zoos proved to be a place where the rare mating occurs between a species, and that happened, when the panda bears finally got some alone time. With less cars on the road, less manufacturers running and less people out and about, the air feels nicer and fresher. If you do happen to or did happen to, or if you have not already, you should go outside for a long walk and just enjoy the fact that ther are far less cars and people outside during this time.
This time will be the only moment in history that we will probably be or even allow or accept a voluntary quaratine of this magnitute, in which the entire world has been or was placed on lockdown. Any time after this will either be met with resistance or people who will probably ignore the warnings or any rules they may be violationg. It is probably not advisable for me to write that people are breaking laws, because technically, going anywhere that is considered public domain or property, such as walking in the center of downtown or just down the block, you are disrespecting rules and violating them, but it should not warrant an actual arrest or ticket, just a “verbal disapproval.”
For many people, life outside is only a hope and a dream, but for others, who are not technically violating rules, but out and about, doing “essential grocery shopping” and other things. Life for some may feel exactly the same, with less people, but for others, it has completely changed. For those who have traveled beyond the realms of the living room, the bedroom, the kitchen, the bathroom, and out the front door, you will find a new and beautiful world, one that can be looked upon with new eyes.
Children are homeschooled during COVID-19 and probaby very bored since they are not allowed to go outside, though children can still play in the backyard.
The environment and planet Earth still have a long way to go in order to recover. Humans have been given a true second chance to change their ways and help Earth reverse a lot of the processes that are damaging it and causing all-life issues on the planet. We all can make changes, including even going out less than we’re used to doing, driving less, making better attempts at recycling, and just consuming less. Together, we can change. Unfortunately, it is not right to blame our fellow neighbor or man, but rather: it is a blame that is to be put upon everyone including you, your mom, your father, your siblings, the companies you buy from, and the companies that you do not buy from.
Everyone is responsible. But all things considered, in this rare moment in which there are less humans roaming around the Earth, many photogaphers and media sharerers have captured some exceptionally beautiful moments of Earth and life without humans. And what you will find is that the Earth actually looks better without you on it. This is not to say that you should go kill yourself to save the planet. We are all here for a reason and have a purpose, but we must take action to reduce and save the very thing, the only thing that is responsible for keeping us directly alive.
Since this is history and Confessions of the Professions is seeking to try and preserve some memory and content of COVID-19, here are some photos from all over the world from various sources.
A couple wearing masks kiss at a main shopping area, in downtown Shanghai, China, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, February 16, 2020. REUTERS/Aly Song TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY – RC2N1F9MORQF
London Bus on Februrary 2020 vs. April 2020
Millenium Bridge in London April 2020
Trader Joe’s during COVID-19
Empty downtown Seattle streets amid COVID-19 pandemic, March 18, 2020. (Matt M. McKnight/Crosscut)
The interior of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Issaquah, WA, on Monday, April 6, 2020. In response to COVID-19, the church has begun offering services online through Facebook Live. (Jen Dev/Crosscut)
Neighbors dealing with isolaiton by self-distancing and keeping each other company
Adam Dotson, who lives in Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood visits his local Safeway store to pick up some groceries and beer on March 16, 2020. “I’m doing ok these days,” Dotson says. “My work hasn’t been affected by all of this yet, but I’m a little nervous and have to be extra careful not to bring Coronavirus into my home if I were to get it.” (Matt M. McKnight/Crosscut)
Medical workers in protective suits attend to novel coronavirus patients at the intensive care unit (ICU) of a designated hospital in Wuhan, Hubei province, China February 6, 2020. Picture taken February 6, 2020. China Daily via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. CHINA OUT. – RC2UWE9N0S1O
A worker installs plastic film to separate the front seats from the back, inside a vehicle for a car-hailing service as the country is hit by an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, China February 14, 2020. cnsphoto via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. CHINA OUT. – RC2D0F9TF7QI
This photo taken on February 17, 2020 shows a member of the medical staff (C) leading patients who have displayed mild symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus in group exercises at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital in Wuhan in China’s central Hubei province. – The death toll from the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic jumped to 1,868 in China on February 18 after 98 more people died, according to the National Health Commission. (Photo by STR / AFP) / China OUT (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)
A couple wears masks to protect against an outbreak of a coronavirus as they ride on a carnival on Valentine’s Day in Hong Kong, China February 14, 2020. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu – RC2C0F9N3HG5
Passengers wearing masks and covered with plastic bags walk outside the Shanghai railway station in Shanghai, China, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, February 9, 2020. REUTERS/Aly Song – RC21XE9AYSOF
People walk through Jianguomen subway station, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Beijing, China February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins SEARCH “CHINA GHOST” FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH “WIDER IMAGE” FOR ALL STORIES. – RC2PWE9COJOA
BEIJING, CHINA – FEBRUARY 13: A Chinese woman wears a protective mask as she waits for a bus at a usually busy stop on February 13, 2020 in Beijing, China. The number of cases of the deadly new coronavirus COVID-19 rose to more than 52000 in mainland China Thursday, in what the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global public health emergency. China continued to lock down the city of Wuhan in an effort to contain the spread of the pneumonia-like disease which medicals experts have confirmed can be passed from human to human. In an unprecedented move, Chinese authorities have maintained and in some cases tightened the travel restrictions on the city which is the epicentre of the virus and also in municipalities in other parts of the country affecting tens of millions of people. The number of those who have died from the virus in China climbed to over 1300 on Thursday, mostly in Hubei province, and cases have been reported in other countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, India, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and several others. The World Health Organization has warned all governments to be on alert and screening has been stepped up at airports around the world. Some countries, including the United States, have put restrictions on Chinese travellers entering and advised their citizens against travel to China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
Liu Xiaojin, adjusts a phone during trainer Wang Kai’s livestreamed gym class, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Beijing, China February 14, 2020. Picture taken February 14, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins – RC2S2F9OQPUQ
WUHAN, CHINA – FEBRUARY 10 2020: A cashier in a plastic gown works at the checkout of a supermarket in Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, in central China’s Hubei province Monday, Feb. 10, 2020.- PHOTOGRAPH BY Feature China / Barcroft Media (Photo credit should read Feature China/Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
WUHAN, CHINA – FEBRUARY 12: (CHINA OUT) Residents wear protective masks as they line up in the supermarket on February 12, 2020 in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. Flights, trains and public transport including buses, subway and ferry services have been closed for 21 days. The number of those who have died from the Wuhan coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV, in China climbed to 1117. (Photo by Stringer/Getty Images)
Dogs wearing masks are seen at a main shopping area, in downtown Shanghai, China, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, February 16, 2020. REUTERS/Aly Song TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY – RC2N1F910MUK
WUHAN, CHINA – FEBRUARY 13: (CHINA-OUT) A resident wears a protective mask as she walk on an empty business street on February 13, 2020 in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. Flights, trains and public transport including buses, subway and ferry services have been closed for 22 days. The number of those who have died from the Wuhan coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV, in China climbed to 1368. (Photo by Stringer/Getty Images)
A police officer wears a mask as he walks in front of the Oriental Pearl Tower, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, in Lujiazui financial district in Pudong, Shanghai, China, February 5, 2020. REUTERS/Aly Song SEARCH “CHINA GHOST” FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH “WIDER IMAGE” FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY – RC2PWE93TTE4
A teacher takes part in a recording of her lessons inside a classroom of a middle school, as students’ return to school has been delayed due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, in Shaoyang, Hunan province, China February 16, 2020. Picture taken February 16, 2020. China Daily via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. CHINA OUT. – RC272F9RAHEI
Empty Highways During COVID-19
The Death Toll is too great to supply anything other than cardboard coffins during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rio De Janerio Brazil Jesus Overlooking The City
WIth China being the main supplier of the COVID-19 testing kits, there are just not enough to go around, and many are in line, waiting to receive a test, while others may simply go home.
A drive-up testing center for COVID-19 for those experiencing mild symptoms.
Palace of Buckingham in London with lots of visitors is empty with just a few British soldiers socially distanced and working.
Catholic Priest in London praying for his Congregation who all have sent him a photo so he can bless them spirtually.
Big Ben in London
An empty zoo caused these struggling Panda bears to finally mate now that there are no humans around.
London St. Pancras International Train Station during COVID-19
A usually packed bus station in London, but during COVID-19 it is empty.
Another shot of the train nearly empty
Countries around the world neutraliziing all areas potentially capable of holding the COVID-19 virus.
An empty street with a single jogger during COVID-19
Empty areas with just spurts of people.
Ashlee Monague dancing nearly naked in New York City.
Businesses are forced to shut down.
Night time is dark and quiet.
Romanian Firefight Street Cleaning
Serbian Military prepares a hosital setup
Two women stocking up on food during COVID-19 pandemic.
A woman in London shopping for any remaining groceries.
The streets of London have a few lurkers, but remain mostly empty.
Walking in the front of the empty New York City skyline
A line for COVID-19 dirve through testing
Brazil Mass Burial Site
A man disinfecting a bus of any COVID-19 traces
Son visiting father in nursing home during COVID-19 pandemic.