As somebody who studies the political effects of apocalyptic narratives and events, I've had some trouble collecting my thoughts on #coronavirus, because it's so damn complicated. Plus, I can only really give an opinion about what's happened locally. But, here goes (a thread):

1/ The first thing that happened was the revelation that European supply chains of commodities cannot cope with people not going to their offices all day. Capitalism has managed a finely balanced act of meeting demand with just enough supply.

2/ The idea, therefore, that Capitalism is able to rapidly and efficiently respond to changing times is complete nonsense. Countries with more collective and managed economies have been able to reallocate resources, suspend rents/mortgages, deliver food, etc.

3/ This is not to say there aren't problems in those countries, just that they are able to pull together quicker and in more human centred ways.

4/ Of course, the biggest lie revealed is who are the most important members of society for it to function. Not that entertainers, academics, clothing suppliers, etc. aren't important, but that for people to still live and survive, they are not necessarily top of the list.

5/ Bus drivers, refuse collectors, lorry drivers, train drivers, signallers, boiler engineers, cleaners, web designers, the person who takes food to hospital rooms, nurses, doctors, medical students, call-centre workers, shipping packers have all proven vital to our society.

6/ The idea that the Tories genuinely believe that spending less on the NHS will improve it has been proven to be nonsense. The marketisation of the NHS breeds inefficiency, competition and bureaucracy. It does not breed better health outcomes or well treated professionals.

7/ So, the economic results of this catastrophe really do show that capitalism is not going to be the system that saves us, especially if things like Covid-19 are the new norm. Viruses and climate change, according to reports, are likely to get worse over the next few decades.

8/ But, there is an important distinction between "us" and those for whom Capitalism is working perfectly well during the crisis. The 99% and the 1% to borrow a crude but fairly accurate analogy from the Occupy movement, borne out of the last crisis.

9/ There are already signs of profiteering. Landlords who seek to evict out-of-work, sick tenants. Jacob Rees-Mogg's company, Somerset Capital Management is encouraging investors to make 500% returns by investing in failing, forlawn businesses.

10/ Trump is comandeering supplies that states have purchased and selling them back to them. Trump is also diverting medical supplies bound for Germany to the US, the very definition of international piracy.

11/ So, as various political philosophers have argued, a crisis of this scale reveals the inner workings and motivations of the system, it also gives us an unprecedented chance to invoke political change. If the system is weakened, and at the same time, mutual aid emerges...

12/ ...then we must view the apocalypse in its etymological roots: an unveiling. The system is struggling, we are also struggling mentally and physically, but, as Solnit argues, we can effect a paradise built in hell. Take this time to witness the lies and wrangling of the system

13/ Perhaps, when all this is over, we should not be 'rebuilding', but building new, building stronger, building friendlier, building community, building cooperation and compassion, seeking the cracks in capitalism that unite us (Holloway, 2010).

14/ Apocalypses are bad, for sure, they end up with suffering and, sadly, deaths. But we should not let that deter us from seeing how might use this situation to stop a system which makes these situations more likely. Take time to grieve, and then take time to organise.

These were just some quick thoughts, if anybody would like sources for my claims, I'll post them here. Thanks!