pandemic

Gerard from Wainuiomata

Pandemic

Gerard Hoog from Wainuiomata

Imagine

You are born in the year 1900
When you turn 14, World War I starts and ends when you are 18
With a balance of 22 million dead.
Shortly afterwards, a global pandemic, The Spanish Flu, kills 50 million people.
Luckily you are still alive and 20 years old.
If you are 29 years old, you will survive the global economic crisis that started with the collapse of the New York stock exchange.
That caused inflation, unemployment and famine worldwide.
Meanwhile, at 33, the Nazis come to power, albeit in Germany.
When you are 39, Germany invades Poland and World War II begins.
You will eventually be 45 years old when World War II ends
Balance: 60 million dead.
6 million Jews die in the Holocaust.
Fortunately you are still alive .....
When you are 52 years old, the Korean War begins.
When you are 64 years old, the Americans start the Vietnam War.
You will be 75 years old when this war ends.
Luckily you are still alive .
Now.....
A boy born in 1980 thinks his grandparents have no idea how difficult life is, but they survived several wars and disasters, not to mention the restrictions during the first oil crisis in the early 1970s
Today we find all comfort in a new world, but unfortunately in the middle of a new pandemic.
People complain that they have to stay home for weeks.
While they have electricity, cell phones, food, hot water and a secure roof over their heads.
None of that existed then in these times.
But .... humanity has survived those circumstances and they have never lost their joy of life
Today we complain because we may soon have to wear face masks to enter supermarkets.
A small change in our thinking and mindset can work wonders.
We are going to thank you and me who are still alive and we are going to do whatever it takes to protect and help each other.

Originally posted in Dutch