Almost four months after breaking out in China's Wuhan city, the coronavirus pandemic is still devastating the world. Its end is not yet in sight. Everywhere in the world, lockdowns, social distancing and closure of national borders are still in force as anti-pandemic measures. But prudent and careful exit options have been experimented in many countries and territories. The post-pandemic world has not yet emerged. But the current world is not the world before the pandemic outbreak. The world is now heading to a new normalcy which is slowly but firmly and irreversibly shaping itself.
| The skyline of the Beijing’s Central Business District rises behind people crossing a street during evening rush hour as the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) continues in China, April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Peter |
A new time has begun for mankind - a time of coexisting with the pandemic, a time of permanent confrontation with the question not only on "to be or not to be" but also on how to successfully deal as much as possible with the pandemic and to get rid of it as quickly as possible. Until now, nobody has prepared for this new normalcy but all have now to get acquainted with it. There won't be a common and same "new normalcy" for all countries and territories. Each country or territory will have its own "new normalcy". The world in the time of the coronavirus pandemic will consist of many such "new normalcies" before they converge into one normalcy again in the post-pandemic time.
Now, for governments and citizens in the world, there are life-and-death decisions to be taken and painful options to be chosen. The states must continue to be strong and assume leadership roles and bear responsibilities for the welfare and health of the people as well as for the future of the country. The citizens must accept the necessity of changing themselves in order to adapt to the new normalcy. For both the state and the citizens, there isn't any alternative.
A new domestic situation and a new external environment require the state to define new policies or adjust existing ones. New policy priorities will be set, structures of the country's economy will be changed and the way of life as well as many aspects of the citizens’ mentality will be changed too. The new normalcy demands from the state and citizens to pay new high prices and to undertake enormous efforts to survive the pandemic time, to create from challenges new chances and opportunities for life safety, social security and prosperity. It requires them to find new and proper ways to deal with the globalization and with foreign partners.
Disclaimer: The views expressed by Ambassador Tran Duc Mau are of his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Hanoitimes.
