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As the world is entering its third year combating an unrelenting pandemic, the coronavirus is sending messages to us all. Our lives are connected across the globe. One country can no longer think they can prosper, maintain a healthy population by ignoring, or at the expense of another.

Modern and contemporary history is replete with examples of how countries in the western world seem to have unlimited wealth and resources and the poor un and under-developed countries continue to endure all kinds of political exploitation, extreme poverty, economic and health disparities. Coronavirus is sending messages to us all. Are we listening?

For decades wealthy industrialized countries have not only ignored the harm being done to our environment through disregard for the gross pollution of our atmosphere, putting us on the precipice of a climate disaster. Climate warming has been slow to get us to realize our shared destiny.

Now that we are in the middle of a major worldwide health challenge, the coronavirus is sending messages to us all. Extreme droughts with their wild fires, crop devastation, and record storms and excessive rains with their historic flooding seem to fade out of our collective memories shortly after they occur.

To date, the coronavirus has caused over 5.2 million deaths worldwide, and over 261 million people have been infected. There is likely an unknown number that can be added to both categories. Plus, the virus is causing a lot of long-term health problems for many. The economic costs for individuals, communities, cities, states and nations are incalculable.

Coronavirus Is Sending Messages to Us All.
Photo Credit: David Benito

Just when we thought we were turning the corner and emerging from the worst of the pandemic, another perhaps more contagious, maybe even more virulent, and deadly variant has been detected. Omicron is causing a new alarm, with countries once again closing their borders. The coronavirus is sending messages to us all. Are we listening?

Many of us are not doing what we can to get the virus under control if not eradicate it, as nations, as states, as cities, as communities, as individuals.  Seeing is not believing. Wealthy nations are slow, if at all, to come to the rescue of poorer nations by providing necessary vaccine, making them a petri dish for the virus to flourish and ultimately spread.  State and cities are refusing to issue and sustain mandates of social distancing and mask wearing, which we would all mutually benefit from.

Then there are those of us–whether because of legitimate concerns, partisan politics, or just down-right selfishness–are refusing to take a vaccine, wear a mask, or practice social distancing, all the things that would help keep everyone safe. These positions are being adhered to despite the illness and death occurring all around us. Seeing is not believing.

The coronavirus is sending messages to us all. Are we listening?

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