"It is clear that in a crisis, the rules do not apply. This which makes you wonder why they are rules in the first place. This is an unprecedented opportunity to not just hit the pause button and temporarily ease the pain, but to permanently change the rules so that untold millions of people aren’t so vulnerable to begin with". Shared some interesting thoughts on the Coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis in regards to capitalism and society. Please like, share and enjoy the read.

1. Coronavirus (Covid-19): The Villain Exposing the Ineffectiveness of an
Individualistic and Capitalist Thinking Society.
Opinion
Oluwaseye Kola-Ojo
The popular phrase ‘time waits for no man’ is something we have all heard at some point in
our lives. It seems Covid-19 may have ruined this metaphor as globally we are all in a
lockdown, yet while we all know there are lessons to be learned from this pandemic, what
exactly are they?
In his 2015 TED Talk, Bill Gates spoke of how the world was not adequately prepared for the
next epidemic/pandemic.1 He also predicted that the next global catastrophe would not be a
world war between nations but a highly infectious virus. He predicted how the next disease
might look, citing the popular and timely Hollywood movie, Contagion, as a less severe
example of what things could look like. Gates referred to the effects of the Ebola virus, but
warned that the next disease, depending on its nature, could have far more damaging effects.2
Five years later we are now experiencing a collective shock when a fast-paced virus similar to
Gate’s prediction forced lockdowns across the globe. The Microsoft founder also suggested
ways the world could prepare for a pandemic/epidemic. These suggestions included; the
strengthening of health systems in poorer countries, creating a medical corps (essentially a
reserve of medical personnel), pairing the medical and military services for easier dispensing
of medical facilities, the running of germ games, and the need to step up research and
development.3 He also noted that “the problem is not that we do not have a system that does
not work well enough, the problem is we do not have a system at all” to tackle such a problem.4
This may be true. However, does having a system make the unpredictable become predictable?
NO, but predictability does become more likely. After all, the essence of various measures put
in place after the Ebola epidemic was to prevent the suffering, we now endure because of the
Covid-19 Pandemic.
1 Gates, Bill [TED]. (3rd April 2015). The next outbreak? We’re not ready [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Af6b_wyiwI&list=LLbdTQln-7S9Jm5jHV7X_4_g&index=2&t=0s
2 Ibid
3
ibid
4
Ibid

2. This demonstrates that we probably have a deeper underlying problem, the problem likely
being that our outer system does not provide a favourable environment for our inner system
(such as the solutions Bill Gates offers being ineffective in a capitalist society). Many societies
have not only failed to provide a system to combat rapid infectious diseases, but there is no
system to deal with some catastrophic weather hazards, nor is there a fully developed plan to
tackle global climate change, or further unpredictable problems. Therefore, “it is clear that in
a crisis, the rules do not apply. This which makes you wonder why they are rules in the first
place. This is an unprecedented opportunity to not just hit the pause button and temporarily
ease the pain, but to permanently change the rules so that untold millions of people aren’t so
vulnerable to begin with”.5 The remainder of this article will show how Covid-19 has exposed
the weaknesses within capitalism especially in the western world, before I propose a potential
solution.
Coronavirus vs Capitalism.
Before Coronavirus hit us, it seemed the system could not provide a lot of things especially
when it came to providing the basic necessities of life for the less privileged in society and
most of us accepted it. With the lockdown severely impacting people, especially the poorest,
weakest and most marginalised groups in society, these provisions are now being made. It
exposes an economy based on competition and naked profit-seeking. For example, how is it
that suddenly rough sleeping can be put to an end in London6 or insulin cost is now capped at
$35 in the US7, to make it more affordable, when previously we were told such actions were
‘impossible’.
As part of a bundle which could be more than $2trillion, the Trump administration announced
plans to provide $1200 per adult or $2,400 per couple, with additional payments for children,
starting with the poorest families.8 This amounts to around 10 percent of the United States GDP
without factoring in the other expenses to businesses, hospitals and healthcare workers. The
British Tory government has agreed to pay up to 80% of worker’s salaries if their employers
5 Taylor A, 'Coronavirus Will Change The World Permanently. Here’s How.' (POLITICO, 2020)
<https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/03/19/coronavirus-effect-economy-life-society-analysis-covid-
135579> accessed 16 April 2020
6 'Rough Sleepers In London Given Hotel Rooms' (BBC News, 2020) <https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-
london-51987345> accessed 16 April 2020
7 Budryk Z, 'Drugmaker Caps Insulin Costs At $35 To Help Diabetes Patients During Pandemic' (TheHill, 2020)
<https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/medical-devices-and-prescription-drug-policy/491685-drugmaker-caps-
insulin-costs>accessed 16 April 2020
8 Costas Lapavitas, 'Coronavirus Has Exposed Capitalism’s Weaknesses'(Tribunemag.co.uk, 2020)
<https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/03/coronavirus-has-exposed-capitalisms-weaknesses/> accessed 16 April 2020.

3. fail to do so, which could be worth about £2500 a month.9 This all points to a failed system
which depends on huge liquidation support if anything goes wrong, similar to the situation of
the great economic crisis in 2009.
A contrasting view, might suggest that since we are in a crisis, these things are only basic
necessities because the economy is shut down and people are forced to stay home. Therefore,
the provisions made to people will not be necessary as the normal economy essentially provides
for their ability to make money. However, even in a ‘normal economy’ insulin is not affordable
to the average individual. Moreover, it will be criminal to suggest that any society should have
the ability to wait until majority of individual lives are destroyed. It is a clear act of societal
suicide. Western governments might think they are saving lives but in reality, they are losing
lives. As an analogy to when we go shopping and buy a product reduced from $40 to $30, we
may think we have saved $10 but in reality, we have spent $30. Furthermore, if this crisis
continues for another few months, the government will continue to hand out bailouts. This
essentially means by the time this is over there would not be a ‘normal economy’ for people to
make money. For example, economists estimate about five million people in the US have
placed an unemployment claim.10 Furthermore there is talk of women’s football going extinct
and players losing their career due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.11 People would not only be able
to meet their essential needs but also governments would have spent way more than they have
budgeted for in a crisis. Notably, recently in the US $315 billion worth of loans out of a $349
billion fund of the Paycheck Protection Program has been validated. Therefore, showing again
that in a crisis, rules do not matter. This is the downside of our individualistic capitalist mindset.
Who would have thought one day there would be no point of buying the fanciest dress or the
fanciest car if we could not use them due to the impact leaving the house has on others? Well,
Covid-19 thought. No more urgent appointments and meetings that deprive us of time at home
and with family. Each man is confined to a room, and most material things seem purposeless.
Our expensive and massive events centres and church auditoriums are empty. Politicians
cannot focus on their campaigns for the forthcoming elections because, for once, we are
9 ibid
10 Ross Sorkin A, De La Merced M, and Karaian J, 'A Decade Of Jobs Destroyed In A Month' (Nytimes.com,
2020) <https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/16/business/dealbook/coronavirus-jobs-unemployment-claims.html>
accessed 16 April 2020
11 Wrack S, 'Women's Football Faced With 'Existential Threat' From Coronavirus Pandemic | Women's Football
| The Guardian' (Amp.theguardian.com, 2020) <https://amp.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/16/womens -
football-faced-with-existential-threat-from-coronavirus-
pandemic?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=twt_gu&utm_medium=&utm_source=Twitter&__twitter_impression=tr
ue> accessed 16 April 2020

4. focusing on things which have always been more important. We all rely on each other
commonly. This virus does not respect class, race, gender, age or borders. All we need today
is food, air, water, and good health (basic essentials). We just want to be alive and nothing else
seems important. With this knowledge, this should be the minimum target for each government
for every member of their society and it should come before anything else.
Although, the current situation has brought out the best in people, evident by large monetary
donations made by wealthy individuals and various humanitarian acts, the shortcomings of
neoliberal capitalism have been exposed.12 It spotlights the fact that the interests of workers
need democratic reorganisation and illustrates that a truly sustainable economic model relies
on a humanitarian approach.
There is a crucial need to face the challenges of globalisation and financialization by creating
revolutionary solutions. This requires creating organisations competent enough to switch the
social and political balance in favour of working people, or preferably, creating systems that
do.
The Next Move?
Nations in the midst of this crisis have already started looking forward to managing their future
economic health. For example, the city of Amsterdam has chosen a framework known as ‘The
Doughnut Model,” a sustainable development system developed by Kate Raworth, an
economist at Oxford University.13 The city hopes to emerge with new intent from the fog of
Covid-19, with a new sense of direction by embracing this model, which aims to meet people's
needs without harming the climate. The Doughnut might be a fresh way to evaluate problems
while assessing solutions but it will not be able to produce answers on its own.14
Simply, the model makes the contentious argument that an increasing economy and ever-
expanding GDP aren't inherent indicators of economic wellbeing. Robert Kennedy, brother of
former US president, John F. Kennedy also supported the idea in 1968 by stating:
12 Mahdawi A, 'The Coronavirus Crisis Has Exposed The Ugly Truth About Celebrity Culture And Capitalism |
Arwa Mahdawi' (the Guardian, 2020) <https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/31/the-
coronavirus-crisis-has-exposed-the-ugly-truth-about-celebrity-culture-and-capitalism> accessed 16 April 2020
13 Purdy C, 'Amsterdam Adopted A New Economic Model For Life After Covid-19' (MSN, 2020)
<https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/spotlight/amsterdam-adopted-a-new-economic-model-for-life-after-
covid-19/ar-BB12qefi?ocid=spartanntp> accessed 16 April 2020
14 ibid

5. “That Gross National Product—if we judge the United States of America by that counts air pollution
and cigarette advertising, and ambulances to clear our highways of carnage. It counts special locks for
our doors and the jails for the people who break them. It counts the destruction of the redwood and the
loss of our natural wonder in chaotic sprawl. It counts napalm and counts nuclear warheads and
armoured cars for the police to fight the riots in our cities. It counts Whitman’s rifle and Speck’s knife,
and the television programs which glorify violence in order to sell toys to our children.”15
The same problems are clear today. Western countries celebrate the profits of giant meat
companies that are also responsible for 14% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
This means that the world faces two big problems: hunger and climate change. The Doughnut
is an attempt to determine the relation between the two. The idea, though, is that successes in
both social and environmental areas are intrinsically interlinked.16
According to Raworth in an interview with National Public Radio, she says: “I think it’s time
to choose a higher ambition, because humanity’s 21st century challenge is clear- to meet the
needs of all people, within the means of this extraordinary, unique, living planet so that we and
the rest of nature can thrive.” 17
Capitalist thinking societies must acknowledge just that: in the first place, they must give
workers what they need and deserve, and not wait for a turbulent economic period to give
workers band-aids in a bailout bill as that fails to heal the real societal injury. It is clear capitalist
societies need a system which creates and rewards businesses not just in terms of financial
success but also one which empowers people while improving and preserving the climate. As
noted by Mariana Mazzucato, it is clear this innovative system would not be a solitary effort
by individuals but a collective effort in which the state has a major role to play.18 It is important
these societies learn from the lessons this pandemic is teaching us especially that every society
needs everybody to flourish. If not we will all continue to find out that in fact ‘time can wait
15 ibid
16
ibid
17
ibid
18 João Medeiros, 'This Economist Has A Plan To Fix Capitalism. It's Time We All Listened' (Wired.co.uk,
2020) <https://www.wired.co.uk/article/mariana-mazzucato> accessed 16 April 2020.

6. for man’ and ‘freedom’ as we knew it might never be the same
.19
References
Budryk Z, 'Drugmaker Caps Insulin Costs At $35 To Help Diabetes Patients During Pandemic'
(TheHill, 2020) <https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/medical-devices-and-prescription-drug-
policy/491685-drugmaker-caps-insulin-costs> accessed 16 April 2020
Collinson A, 'Coronavirus Has Exposed The Flaws In Our Social Safety Net – Here’S How To
Fix It' (Tuc.org.uk, 2020) <https://www.tuc.org.uk/blogs/coronavirus-has-exposed-flaws-our-
social-safety-net-heres-how-fix-it> accessed 16 April 2020
Harris J, Rayasam R, and Taylor A, 'Coronavirus Will Change The World Permanently. Here’S
How.' (POLITICO, 2020) <https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/03/19/coronavirus-
effect-economy-life-society-analysis-covid-135579> accessed 16 April 2020
Lapavitas C, 'Coronavirus Has Exposed Capitalism’S Weaknesses' (Tribunemag.co.uk, 2020)
<https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/03/coronavirus-has-exposed-capitalisms-weaknesses/>
accessed 16 April 2020
Mahdawi A, 'The Coronavirus Crisis Has Exposed The Ugly Truth About Celebrity Culture And
Capitalism | Arwa Mahdawi' (The Guardian, 2020)
<https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/31/the-coronavirus-crisis-has-
exposed-the-ugly-truth-about-celebrity-culture-and-capitalism> accessed 16 April 2020
Medeiros J, 'This Economist Has A Plan To Fix Capitalism. It's Time We All Listened'
(Wired.co.uk, 2020) <https://www.wired.co.uk/article/mariana-mazzucato> accessed 16 April
2020
Purdy C, 'Amsterdam Adopted A New Economic Model For Life After Covid-19' (MSN, 2020)
<https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/spotlight/amsterdam-adopted-a-new-economic-model-for-
life-after-covid-19/ar-BB12qefi?ocid=spartanntp> accessed 16 April 2020
Ross Sorkin A, De La Merced M, and Karaian J, 'A Decade Of Jobs Destroyed In A Month'
(Nytimes.com, 2020) <https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/16/business/dealbook/coronavirus-
jobs-unemployment-claims.html> accessed 16 April 2020
19 Refer to first paragraph

7. 'Rough Sleepers In London Given Hotel Rooms' (BBC News, 2020)
<https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-51987345> accessed 16 April 2020
Wrack S, 'Women's Football Faced With 'Existential Threat' From Coronavirus Pandemic |
Women's Football | The Guardian' (Amp.theguardian.com, 2020)
<https://amp.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/16/womens-football-faced-with-existential-
threat-from-coronavirus-
pandemic?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=twt_gu&utm_medium=&utm_source=Twitter&__twitt
er_impression=true> accessed 16 April 2020