avatarDr Ron Pol

Summary

The website presents a collection of haiku poems reflecting on various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including leadership, community transmission, and financial impact.

Abstract

The "Covid-19: Collected Haiku" is an artistic portrayal of the global pandemic's narrative, encapsulated in the brevity of haiku poetry. Each haiku, accompanied by explanatory text and links to full chapters, addresses different facets of the crisis, such as the importance of leadership, the challenges of community transmission, the societal impact of stockpiling, and the economic consequences of the virus. The poems offer a poignant commentary on the initial response to the pandemic, the role of essential services, the irony of certain public health strategies, and the personal experiences of self-isolation and hope amidst uncertainty. The collection serves as a reflective chronicle of the pandemic's progression, with each haiku capturing a distinct moment in time.

Opinions

  • The author suggests that strong leadership is vital in managing the pandemic effectively.
  • There is a critical view of the initial blame placed on Asia for the virus's origin, highlighting a defensive and non-constructive response.
  • The poems reflect a skepticism towards the initial approach to testing, which seemed to prioritize economic interests over public health.
  • The haiku convey a sense of irony in the protection of big business over immediate and widespread public health measures.
  • The financial impact of the pandemic is attributed to political figures like Donald Trump and Boris Johnson, implying a connection between leadership and economic stability.
  • The author points out the disconnect between rhetoric and reality in valuing health workers, noting a lack of action in providing necessary support and resources.
  • There is an emphasis on the importance of science and widespread testing in saving lives and ending lockdowns, contrasting with the perceived dogmatic approach of some governments.
  • The poems express concern over the safety of care workers during lockdown, who were often ill-equipped and exposed to high risks.
  • The collection ends on a note of hope, suggesting that the pandemic may lead to a new beginning and a reevaluation of societal values and authenticity.
  • The author seems to advocate for a unified global response to the pandemic, as evidenced by the call for widespread testing and coordinated action.

Covid-19: Collected Haiku

A story of our times, in chapters of 17 syllables

Photo by Linus Nylund on Unsplash

This piece contains only the haiku. Some have explanatory text. Some lead full chapters. Simply click the link below each to access more.

Covidien Hope

Unseen menace pounce

Vital: Urgent measures now

Test, Leadership true

Blame

Where’s it from? Asia.

Blame them. Not us, we’ll fix it.

(Like Asian nations)

Community transmission

We are good, boast we.

Cases low. Test by ‘standards’ -

Travelers only.

Stockpiling

Get provisions, fast

Buy. Sell. Mix and mingle

I did, said Covid

Youth safety

Safe, say media.

OK to party and play.

Death stalks all nearby

Bubble safety

Stay in your bubble

It keeps us all safe from harm

Sacrificially

Essential services

Barbers open, staunch

We don’t have it, we just know

Silent, death chair waits.

Coronavirus Irony

Protect big business:

“Fifteen, soon none!” “Herd immune!”

How’s that working out?

Financial Impact

Stocks crash, chaos mounts.

Where did that originate?

Donald, and Boris.

The Trump Effect

Virus comes, stocks plunge.

A book title reminder,

Art of Denial.

Peak insouciance, Covid-style

Two ruffle-haired men,

An empire each to end. More?

Yes. Destroy the world!

“Okay, Let’s roll”

This is serious:

Partisan to unity.

(India, U.S?)

Testing for all

Mantra: “Test, test, test.”

Just kidding. Don’t test widely.

Risky. (Might learn truth).

Rhetoric v Reality

“Health workers valued!”

Test us all, before we die?

Nah, trillions, elsewhere.

Science v Dogma

Test all, fast, often.

Science: Saves lives, ends lockdown.

Dogma: Rules are rules.

Science v Dogma (2)

“Test the elderly”

Science: Full testing saves lives

Dogma: Watch them die.

Lockdown care workers

Visit ill, infirm -

Six per week, no masks, gowns, screens.

Corona Roulette!

Self-isolation

Home alone. Thinking

Chaos, doom. How will it end?

Refreshed. New normal.

The End?

Doom, Gloom and Chaos.

Woe betide us all. The end?

Or new beginning.

Hope

Trump test. Carry on

Boris down. Now, do what works!

Funny, politics.

Lockdown

Wait, dither….lockdown!

Only option left. Six months?

Track, trace, back to work.

After Covid

‘Post-truth’, nothing false

Into the abyss, what next?

Authenticity

— — —

COVID-19: The Book — Contents

Key chapters

Initial primary source material

About the author

Poetry
Covid-19
Finance
Business
Politics
Recommended from ReadMedium
avatarUnbecoming
10 Seconds That Ended My 20 Year Marriage

It’s August in Northern Virginia, hot and humid. I still haven’t showered from my morning trail run. I’m wearing my stay-at-home mom…

4 min read
avatarKarolina Kozmana
Common side effects of not drinking

By rejecting alcohol, you reject something very human, an extra limb that we have collectively grown to deal with reality and with each…

10 min read
avatarDeborah Science Fiction Fantasy Short Story Writer
The Last Daddy-Daughter Day

Take a Trip to the Circus If You Dare

2 min read
avatarJohn Gorman
Stop Wasting Your Time

A Simple Framework for Making Better Decisions

13 min read
avatarAlexander Nguyen
The resume that got a software engineer a $300,000 job at Google.

1-page. Well-formatted.

4 min read
avatarSufyan Maan, M.Eng
What Happens When You Start Reading Every Day

Think before you speak. Read before you think. — Fran Lebowitz

6 min read