A boring apocalypse!

WE'RE living through a phenomenon that sounded like it originated in a horror film script. As 2021 comes to a close the effects of SARS-CoV-2 still dominate the headlines and the global Pandemic shows no real sign of abating. This is the 1st time in history we have the power to slow or even stop a Pandemic, but at what cost?  We’re living through a phenomenon might be now 'the most boring apocalypse' ever, a stark difference from when the Pandemic ordinary started... Yet that doesn't make it any less deadly!

Uncertainty persists on how best to manage the latest the variant, Omicron, we are now seeing fear of the virus being replaced by fatigue, frustration or even boredom. These wave after wave assaults, each accompanied by increasingly negative headlines, have resulted in populations becoming more and more desensitized to warnings. This is a recognised response to upsetting stimuli, over which individuals have or feel they have no control. An example is reduced empathy following over exposure to images of victims of war. The effects of control measures on economics are being increasingly evident, and questioned. Apparent lack of consensus is adding to the confusion and distress of many, who feel things are out of control. Healthcare workers are exhausted or burned out from earlier surges, Hospitals and other medical services are under ever increasing strain, yet again. Now we are facing another crisis from acute stress related illnesses arising, not only from Covid, but also from the measures that are required to combat it.

The problem isn't so much that people have become too relaxed to heed warnings. It is starting to show that people cannot cope with this level of unpredictable stress and that might start to complicate public health authorities efforts to slow Omicron's spread, and Covid19 as a whole. Gloom is rife and tempers are strained, relieved in part by inspired and often spontaneous acts of kindness and imagination by individuals and communities across the world. Perhaps in 2022 we should focus a bit more on emphasising and highlighting the positives. In a recent paper published on the psychiatric effects of the Pandemic, McGill University Anthropologist Samuel Veissière even said that:- "This is a normal coping response to the 'new normal' of the Pandemic."

No one is saying, 'let Omicron run rampant,' but it makes sense that we should be now re-examining our protocols. Current philosophies suggest that because of the speed at which Omicron is spreading in the UK, we must all again cut our contacts by at least 50% in order to buy time for more booster vaccines to kick in. But that might only flatten the trend for a short period of time until another variant comes along. It is looking increasingly likely that we're going to have Covid19 for the foreseeable future. Decisions must start to become more long term.

Intercommunications between nations, health organisations and their general populations are vitally important. How they present the statistics to the public and how these figures can and will affect policy needs to be particularly clear. Avoiding panic when a new variant causes more infections, but also avoiding public complacency when figures apparently drop. Transparency and better communication in real terms, not the current 'Sound Bite' culture favoured by some in power, are imperative. That requires better distribution of real information to both local and national media, and in some cases the health workers themselves.

With more people working from home, we are now seeing more and more, issues around the lack of social interaction in employee engagement. High stress levels within a workplace are huge sign that there are communication problems within an organisation. That in turn often leads to a decline in loyalty, work ethics and productivity. This then leads on to expressed lower levels of job satisfaction and more anxiety and, as we are starting to see already, a downturn in quality of life. Are we now sleep walking in to a new crisis situation, where psychological and social problems may become worse than those caused by Covid19?

For a long time, many institutions and people of all backgrounds have been asking:- "Is society on track for a global collapse?" Now a decades old scientific paper predicting the collapse of society by 2050 appears to be right on schedule after all! The negative effects of this Pandemic might serve as a stark warning as continued economic and population growth could happen within the next 40 years. An increased population equals increased social stress, increased poverty and food shortage, and increased risks of infections. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, ride again?

As far back as 18 Century, people had been raising concerns about the sustainability of human population growth, like British philosopher and economist Thomas Malthus. His theory states that:- "food production will not be able to keep up with growth in the human population, resulting in disease, famine, war, and calamity." Human ingenuity in food production stalled that one, but it wasn't as wrong as people thought. Can we really continue to challenge nature for ever?

The infamous study on human population and quality of life, published in 1972, called:- "The Limits to Growth" used what are now seen as very basic computer simulation, looking at exponential economic and population growth with a finite supply of resources. Yet the findings, published by Potomac Associates - Universe Books, and written by Donella H. Meadows, Dennis L. Meadows, Jørgen Randers and William W. Behrens III is now very early close to becoming a reality.

In contrast to global over population issues, some developed countries have problems age distributions. Even before Covid19, The Economic and Social Research Council issued a warning that:- "Britain's falling birth rates will damage our society." The main reasons for this fall was said to be:- "hardship, insecurity and anxiety." Something that Covid19 has amplified. The depressing reality also tells a story that UK's modern society is putting to much pressure on the earnings of people of a working age, and this means too many obstacles being put in place to having a family. In short, it's too heavy a burden parenting, especially for women. As the UK is a rapidly ageing country, with a depressing future ahead. A future that will be fraught with economic problems, where the taxes of fewer people of working age pay for the pensions and care of the old, neglecting the needs of the young, or we neglecting the needs of the old.

Its not just the UK warning of a looming crisis, with Deutsche Bank warns of global 'time bomb' back in June 2021. They said in a press statement that they predict that inflation will re-emerge in 2021, and this will be devastating for many:- "particularly for the most vulnerable in society."

It is shocking then to think before the Pandemic struck; the Conservative Government removed the support for parents put in place by Labour. They have slashed other supports and temporary business support. Then in March 2021, they changed the way the self employed pay tax against warnings that it will ruin businesses and damage our economic future of the UK. They added pressure on by putting even more costs on to businesses by increasing wages and this list goes on. That is not forgetting the many businesses who are hanging on by a thread, after added financial pressure was put on them, due to them being excluded from most support packages, or excluded from them initially! Those same businesses are now being called upon to help with the economic recovery, whilst precipitately being forced to pay back the previous loans, before the effects of any recovery reach them.

The environmental, economic and social trajectory currently, is in a dangerous downward trend, worldwide. Here, the UK Government we must now help businesses of all sizes, especially small businesses, to help them not only to flatten" Covid's spread, but also to help with the mental health of those they employ, despite the financial impact they are still facing.

Yes, we have more job openings, since Brexit, but one needs to look more closely at the types of jobs that are on offer and contrast them with those on the staff shortage occupations listed and the hours and pay being offered…

If we as a nation are to stop a catastrophic societal and economic collapse, like that of the 1930's Great Depression, our Government must take action and help employers, especially local small businesses, as they keep the cash in the local communities and keep our economy going. They should scrap the repayment of the Covid loans and Student Loans given over 2020 and 2021, to free up cash for reinvestment and improvement of living standards. We must also put more support into culture and arts, a sector that is completely in disarray, yet needed more than ever to boost the moral of society. As too, must local media be supported as it is uniquely placed to boost local society, increase morale and highlight local issues before they can escalate.

We must start to offer hope though real support or the UK economy and business will go into 2023 running on nothing but fumes. Without really support, we face a 'social time bomb' and the biggest danger, not only will be our country's economic future, but decrease ability to control future Pandemics! Overriding all such considerations of course is the every present threat to the World from climate change.

What are your thoughts on this? Please do email us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com and let us know.
 

Manchester's Stitched Up announce the opening of a new exhibition at their sustainable clothing hub in Stretford Mall

THE 'Wandle Wardrobe' exhibition is the work of costume maker and sustainable fashion advocate Elly Platt, who spent several weeks during lockdown walking the length of the River Wandle near her home, in South London. The river has a long connection with textile production in the area.

During these walks, Elly gathered up any lost or discarded pieces of clothing or textiles that she found, using them to create a collection of quilts and garments which, together, are the Wandle Wardrobe. Elly says:- "Most of the clothes I found seemed legitimately lost rather than dumped, but in an era when clothes are so cheap and plentiful, have we lost our emotional attachment to our clothes? Do we lead such busy lives that it doesn't feel worth it to look for something we've lost? I hope that the Wandle Wardrobe project in its various forms will spark conversations about how we treat our clothes, and our green spaces."

Stitched Up are delighted to be presenting an exhibition of some of Elly Platt's Wandle Wardrobe pieces in Manchester. The exhibition can be found in the gallery window above Stitched Up's workshop space inside Stretford Mall. The exhibition is open now until 16 January 2022, and is free to view anytime during mall opening hours.

Visit the Wandle Wardrobe exhibition:- Stitched Up, Unit 40, Stretford Mall, Chester Road, M32 9BB, until 16 January 2022. Find out more about Elly Platt's work:- TakeItUpWearItOut.BlogSpot.Com and for more about Stitched Up, visit:- StitchedUp.COOP.