No, no, 2021. Be warned! You won’t get us so cheap this time around, as 2020 did to us! Despite the warm welcome we gave to you 2020, you miserable year took us for granted. We remember with regret how we boozed, we sang, we danced, we prayed, and we did all we could to usher you in; to our amazement, see what you gave us back in return. You awarded us with ingratitude and sickness! Some people even expressed their joy for being alive to have seen and witnessed you, only for them to die a few months later!
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We have learned our lessons in the most challenging way as COVID-19 has made our lives miserable and has forcefully taken our joy and our loved ones from us. As the saying goes: “When a snake bites you once when you see a scorpion, you will quickly run for your life.” That’s the reason we’re sad and want to keep our fingers crossed as we see you 2021 coming in. As another saying goes: “Once bitten, twice shy.” Why not, If not? The Pandemic is getting deadlier, as seen in the UK variant of the Coronavirus with a large number of mutations. The new discovery makes it more challenging, if not difficult, to curb or curtail its excess. It’s all too disheartening!
The virus has destroyed our education system. Sent teachers and students packing and made them dependent on compulsory online learning. More than once, parents and guardians have been taken to the streets, protesting and seeking answers to their children’s predicaments.
The disease changed our lives forever. We can’t move around easily the way we like, especially when visiting our cherished Elders, other family members, and friends. Besides, the imposition of social distancing had become the norm in a manner we’ve never seen before. This mandate has made it compulsory for us to run from one another instead of greeting those we love with kisses and hugs.
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It upsets our intrinsic human nature to welcome and associate with other humans. Furthermore, it restricted our freedom to move outdoors, including our private space in our homes. All of this has led many to experience depression on many levels.
The entertainment industry and uncountable service industries are on the verge of collapse from constant locked down and customer loss. In short, no industry is safe from the destruction of this Pandemic.
Our daily vocabulary hasn’t been left out either, as it added words and phrases previously unused. Hence, we can now hear: distancing, flattening the curve, Pandemic, COVID-19, masking, lockdown, vaccine, self-quarantine, Coronavirus, hand-washing, Purell, and other disinfectants. Others include respiratory illness, elbow bump, self-isolation, Working from Home (WFH), and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Let’s not forget shutdowns, non-essential travel, non-essential businesses, frontline workers, shelter in place, stay safe, and safety. I can imagine you nodding with recognition as I present this laundry list. They have become part and parcel of our lives. Also, some have been added to our dictionaries.
The almighty locked down has become a household word worldwide as the monster COVID started affecting and destroying all sectors of private and business entities.
Looking at the opening and closure of a country’s borders has been a daily merry-go-round. It has really affected commerce between several countries, especially on the European stage.
The recent overnight close-border order between England and France caused a lot of fear as a consequence of yet another COVIT variant found in the UK, which has kept thousands of supply trucks stuck for days at the borders. The sudden closure dashed any hope that the drivers would see Christmas in their homeland. This mandate has crippled one of the world’s most important international commerce lanes.
This UK new COVID variant has hampered the normal migration processing and banned travel to the UK by a host of countries far and wide. Countries like Germany have airlifted food and supplies to England as they fight for survival through this Christmas period and beyond until the trucking mess has been eased between England and France.
It’s interesting to note how increased marriage breakups have become so rampant and prevalent in recent times as more couples are staying at home longer, sharing the same space. No wonder things get crazy the more they discover new habits or manners they dislike about the other person. The flip side of this is that it might create a mini-baby boom in 2021! What’s more, COVID has caused early death to people with other ailments who are afraid or traumatized to go to hospitals or doctors’ offices to seek even the simplest checkups.
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COVID-19 has dealt ruthlessly with us by destroying our job possibilities, sending us to wait in long lines to receive a box of food to feed our families. Poverty and hunger have been the subject of discussion daily.
Therefore, Year 2021, you better be warned!
Anyway, you kinder look compassionate. We hope you arrive soon with an arsenal of vaccines for all. Please be watchful of Mr. nasty 2020. Let him go without handing over any dirt to you, as was the case with 2019, from where 2020 got his surname. The year 2021 is gonna kick your butt out of this world if you try such nonsense!