Loading ...Covid-19 vs World War II
Everything happens for a reason .
As a society we probably needed to slow things down for a while…We have been sailing along at breakneck speed for decades and I think :
Mother Earth was just getting a little dizzy and wobbly from it all and needed a break.
Yes it’s scary and Yes we have major concerns for the economy , and most everyone on the planet of 7.7 billion souls are and will be impacted in some way .
But consider what my parents and most your grandparents had to deal with during the uncertainties of WW II.
That is a period in time that not .00001% of us here experienced nor can relate to . It is a period of time that has all but been forgotten.
Yes we all agree this viral virus is a crisis unlike anything we have seen in our lifetimes ..unless you are in your late 80s or 90’s that is ….(the oldest 70’s wouldn’t remember much)
However I think that WW II was 100 times more of a crisis , complete with uncertain outcomes .
It raged and escalated for 6 Years.
Germany Invaded Poland Sept 1 1939 . Armistice Day was Aug 15 1945.
……
During this War we have all been sent to our rooms…and told not to touch our faces or anyone else. So far it has lasted about a month and the duration is uncertain but it will NOT be 6 years !
During THAT war …every family had to send one or many young men to Kill and be killed .
Bludgeoned hacked exploded burned and cut to death by fellow human beings .
Those who remained home had to work long hours for the war effort .
Business and whole industries like travel were shut down for years….
When it was all over , society went on a strong run to better and better and more and more things which has lasted all of my lifetime . 70 years and hopefully counting 🙂
During THIS war :
We expect up to perhaps a million casualties as a very serious case scenario. Which is an unfathomable horror especially since the enemy is mysterious and invisible and kills from the inside out.
During THAT war :
” An estimated total of 70–85 million people perished, which was about 3% of the 1940 world population (est. 2.3 billion).”
“Civilian deaths totaled 50-55 million. Military deaths from all causes totaled 21–25 million, including deaths in captivity of about 5 million prisoners of war.”
The Enemy was well known but no less horrifying.
……………….
A catastrophic event is a catastrophic event !
Comparing it to another catastrophic even doesn’t make it any less so.
But one has to marvel at our parents / grand parents / great grand parents determination and fortitude in overcoming great hardship and solidarity in rapidly rebuilding society and rapidly surpassing what came before.
Something to think about at a moment when we have a lot of time to think.
Looking forward to freedom and back to what we do within the next months.
For now appreciating the finer things finding new and reviving old interests and staying positive is the best medicine .
(Fully Disclaimer : This post comes from a person who named his Pony “Polyanna” 🙂
