St. Carlo Acutis died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15. When he was diagnosed of acute and untreatable leukemia, Carlo wasn’t upset. He told his mother, “I can die happy, because I haven’t wasted even a minute on things that aren’t pleasing to God.” [3]
In this challenging time, with the increase of COVID19 cases and dying people, St. Carlo Acutis has shown the beauty of optimism, hope, kindness and love for God.
Today, Pres. Trump and First Lady Melania were tested positive of COVID19 or Coronavirus. For those who are still mocking and downplaying the virus, especially to my friends and relatives who are avid supporters of Pres. Trump, it’s time to realize that COVID19 is real. Despite all the mocking and downplaying of the president that have put the people at risk, especially my relatives and friends who love him, I feel sad and sorry for them. I will still pray for their recovery and their family. Please wear mask in public and follow the CDC guidelines, even if your leaders does not want you to, for your protection and family’s protection.
Great slump: By 1933, unemployment in the USA was at 25 per cent. Photo: The Day
Sean Harris holds a sign asking for help in Sept. 4 in New Orleans. Harris had just completed training to be a hunted history tour guide in the French Quarter when the coronavirus pandemic hit. He has not been able to find a job since. Photo: Times News
This year, 2020, is the worst economic downturn since the great depression. It is one of the worst economic downturns in American history. They say it is just the beginning. This is only the tip of the iceberg. The worst is still to come.
According to World Bank forecasts, the global economy will shrink by 5.2% this year. That would represent the deepest recession since the Second World War [1].
The pandemic crisis caused bankruptcy to a lot of companies like: Aldo (Shoe Retailer), 24 Hour Fitness, Gold’s Gym, California Pizza Kitchen, Chuck E. Cheese, Cirque du Soleil, Debenhams, Hertz Corp, Frontier Communications, JC Penny, Neiman Marcus, GNC, J Crew, Lane Bryant, Lord & Taylor, Lucky Brand Jeans, New York & Company, Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, Pier 1, Sizzler, USA Rugby, Virgin Australia and a lot more [2][3][4].
Over 42.6 million Americans have filed for unemployment during the coronavirus pandemic [5]. Eventbrite laid off half its workforce as events worldwide are canceled. Airbnb cut 25% of its workforce. Uber laid off around 6,700 workers in two waves and shut 45 offices. Rent The Runway laid off all retail employees across the country. Compass Coffee, a Washington, D.C. Starbucks competitor, laid off 150 of its 189 employees. General Electric laid off about 10% of its jet engine workforce, around 2,500 workers. The University of Colorado at Boulder laid off a handful of employees, and more layoffs could be on the way. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, IATSE, estimated that 120,000 jobs for film workers, including technicians, artisans and other crew positions have been eliminated. [6]
As of today there are 201K deaths in the US and 971K deaths worldwide [7]. Nearly 600 front-line health care workers appear to have died of COVID-19 in the US [8]. People are dying, mourning & starving. If only the 30-Day National Lockdown was enforced.
Scientists have been warning us about the climate change. Extreme weather, natural disasters, and strangeanimalbehavior are clear warnings to us that something is wrong, but some leaders are dismissing it and their staunchest followers silence it.
This uncertain time calls for careful analysis. Look for the numbers instead of rumors. Follow the public health guidelines to support the heath care workers to keep them safe as they save lives, spend wisely, and vote wisely this November 3, 2020 US election.
It is not for me to judge, but imagine if everybody thought this way, imagine how resilient the economy would be, what a powerful global community we would form.
Before Pres. Trump became president, he filed for business bankruptcy four times: the Trump Taj Mahal in 1991, Trump Plaza Hotel in 1992, Trump Hotels and Casinos Resorts in 2004 and Trump Entertainment Resorts in 2009 [1]. Also, Trump settled all three fraud lawsuits relating to Trump University in November 2016 for a total of $25 million after being elected president [2].
Despite the bankruptcy and lawsuits, Trump became president and still have the courage to run for the November 3, 2020 election. Trump was not the only President who filed bankruptcy, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, William McKinley and Ulysses S. Grant also filed for bankruptcy. William McKinley declared bankruptcy while serving as the Governor of Ohio. Less than three years later, he was elected President of the United States [3].
For entrepreneurs who are losing hope due to the pandemic crisis, especially to my friends who are struggling to save their companies and their employees, remember that Pres. Trump became president despite all the challenges, bankruptcies and lawsuits.
It is not the end of the world. As long as you can wake up and breathe there is hope. There is always a solution.
Medical staff and workers in Surry Hills, Sydney, in April 1919. Schools and businesses were closed, hospitals overflowed and masks became compulsory in public. Photograph: NSW State Archives and Records. https://www.theguardian.com
1. Flu Season – The most severe flu season after the Spanish Flu in 1918 started in Wuhan, China has spread like wildfire during the Winter-holiday season from December 2019 – January 2020, which lead to Pandemic Crisis/Recession and National Lockdown from March to May 2020. As of today, there are 910,000 deaths, 28.2 million cases [1]. Unemployment rose higher in three months of COVID-19 than it did in two years of the Great Recession in the U.S., from 6.2 million in February to 20.5 million in May 2020 [2].
2. Cyclone / Typhoon / Hurricane Season – Typhoon/Cyclone/Hurricane has caused severe damage every year. According to the May 22, 2020 report, Cyclone Amphan caused an estimated $13.2 billion in damage and killed at least 80 people in West Bengal, and another 10 across the border in Bangladesh with as many as 500,000 families in Bangladesh may be homeless [3]. On the same month, Typhoon Vongfong/Ambo in the Philippines caused around ₱1.57 billion (US$31.1 million) in damage, killed 5 people and affected 578,571 residents [4]. The following month, Tropical Storm Cristobal caused US$675 million in damage and 15 fatalities [5]. Last month, Typhoon Higos hit China, with 200 people dead or missing in China this year and caused $25 billion in damage [6]. On the same month, Hurricane Laura caused the deaths of at least 36 people in the U.S. and inflicted an estimated $8.7 billion in insured damage on southwestern Louisiana and southeastern Texas near the Gulf of Mexico [7]. Hurricanes have caused a total of 117 deaths and $14.67 billion in damages [8].
A helicopter prepares to drop water at a wildfire in Yucaipa, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020. Photo: The Associated Press.
3. Wildfire Season – Summer finally has ended. But it ended with ravaging wildfires. Summer 2020 ranked as one of the hottest on record for U.S. August 16, Death Valley in California reported a high temperature of 130 degrees F. If verified, this temperature would be the hottest August temperature on record for the U.S. [9]. Currently, 102 large fires have burned 4.4 million acres in 12 states in the U.S. [10].
Snow covered vehicles line a street in Lowell, Mass., Dec. 2, 2019. Photo: C.J. Gunther/EPA via Shutterstock.
4. Winter Storm Season – Summer just ended and winter is coming. With the pandemic crisis and calamities happening, better to relocate if you are living in one of the coldest cities and will just put you in danger.
These 4 Destructive Seasons are inevitable. Therefore, the government should take extra precautionary measures to protect the people in the future. Everyone should also be alarmed and make plans according to these 4 Destructive Seasons:
Relocation – Families in hazard prone areas should relocate the soonest possible. The government should have relocation programs for families living in hazard prone areas. The relocation plan should make sure that the families can:
survive and ensure quality of life,
provide quality education,
provide employment opportunities, like forming collaboration with social enterprises or non-profit organizations. Another way is to cultivate the land to boost eco-tourism.
Travel – Travel only if necessary. Always wear a mask even if your leader does not. Be thankful if you can study and work from home. Our healthcare workers have to travel and work in the hospital despite the pandemic. Stay at home to stay safe and keep our healthcare workers safe.
Patronize eco-friendly products and brands. This way, we can encourage more people to focus on developing eco-friendly materials/products instead of destructive and toxic materials/products. You can check out ways to Go Green, Go Clean
“Summer 2020 ranked as one of the hottest on record for U.S.”. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. U.S. Department of Commerce. September 9, 2020.
Text and photos may not be reproduced for any purposes without written permission from the copyright holder.
Disclosure: This website uses affiliate links embedded within pages of this site. If you purchase through this website, small incentive is earned at NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. This helps with the cost of maintaining this site.
M A R I T H E R 