The declaration by the World Health Organization that the outbreak of the COVID19 is a pandemic tells the world that we have a common enemy by the name of the Coronavirus. The word “pandemic”, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, means “widespread outbreak of disease”. In other words, it has spread to almost every country in the world.
If you take away the letters dem from pandemic, you get the word panic which by definition means “sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety often causing wildly unthinkable behavior” and this not where we want to be. It is extremely important that we don’t start the blame game, as this will not solve this very serious challenge.
People are panicking everywhere and unfortunately it is often a human reaction to something over which we have no control. I have seen photos of shelves in the U.S. and Europe where they are empty as it regards products needed to protect ourselves against this disease. Here on St. Maarten it is the same in some cases, especially when persons start hoarding. What is unfortunate is that some businesses and individuals use this opportunity to take advantage of the public and therefore I am pleased with the steps government took to address this unscrupulous behavior.
It is panic which creates chaos and this exasperates the problem. There is enough information available based on our interconnectedness where technology is concerned. Our health care professionals and other related organizations are doing a tremendous job to prevent and, if necessary, combat and contain this virus, and should be commended. And every cooperation should be given to make their jobs as easy as possible.
We have a common enemy that must be defeated. This virus does not discriminate. We have heard of the Prime Minister of Canada Mr. Trudeau, senators and mayors from the United States and other countries who have quarantined themselves in order to protect others. I don’t want to simplify this challenge but we must work together.
We are hearing reports that the economic impact will be worse than the 2008 global economic crisis. Some even go as far back as the “Great Depression” of the 1930s. But in the words of the late President of the US at the time Franklin D Roosevelt who said, and I quote, “So, let me first of all assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, nameless, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”
Let me end with this Bible scripture taken from the Book of Psalms 91:1-2, which states as follows: He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty, I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God. In Him will I trust.”
George Pantophlet
According to the US Federal Reserve and Treasury, paper currency is made from 75 per cent cotton and 25 per cent linen. The surface of the bills is fibrous, allowing germs to adhere more easily and survive longer than they can on smooth objects.
Studies showed microbes can persist on surfaces for as long as 9 days and it is obvious that cleaning the paper bill is more difficult than cleaning a plastic or glass surface. Theoretically, it is possible that the virus might survive on the dollar’s cotton and linen weave, paving the way for a COVID-19 cash transmission from a person to another.
Some stores in the US like the burger chain “Dick’s Drive-in” are placing signs asking customers to pay with credit or debit cards rather than cash as a precaution. The WHO [World Health Organisation – Ed.] has not issued any warnings or statements about the use of cash but – of course – it is a must to wash hands after handling money, especially when eating or touching food.
Is there a risk for using cash? The US Treasury was waiting for advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In case of any negative announcement, firms such as Visa Inc & Mastercard Inc would benefit the most and digital payments will take over almost everything.
This is very good to fight corruption, but going cashless is worrisome for some people. Much of the population is either un- or underbanked and it is not easy to implement inclusive cashless commerce.
In China, the people’s Bank of China began using ultraviolet light and high-temperature ovens to disinfect cash coming in and replaced old notes with newly minted bills. Assuming most banks have their own protocol for handling bills and packaging the contaminated ones aside, the fear of the virus spread through cash is still inexorable.
Reina Sankari
Curaçao
Dear Editor,
This coronavirus COVID-19 is causing economic destruction and fear and panic for many people in the world.
I pray to God that our small island of St. Maarten does not get affected, because our medical facilities and medicine stock to combat it is very small in the event a serious outbreak occurs.
I personally am concerned, but not scared; reason: worrying cannot help it, I trust in God to protect us.
Dear Editor,
This topic is on a very serious note. We all must take the coronavirus seriously and use the methods that will help protect us from it.
From ever since the development of microcomputers, there’s a sharp increase in digital surveillance activities in diverse communities around the world. Although the microcomputer plays an important part in education and training, online shopping and searching the Internet, it can be a destructive tool for spying on businesses, personal data, hacking and information gathering. Digital surveillance technology should be a concern to everyone using the Internet for pleasure or business purposes. E-commerce is one of the biggest online enterprises in the world today. Tele-marketing also plays an essential role in this industry. Without customers a business perishes.
