Writing in chaotic 2020
COVID-19 pandemic, protests against police, wild bush fires, storms, Beirut explosion, wars, and recession… The list could be endless. What worse will happen next? Some may say disasters do not come alone. What should writers do in this chaotic 2020?
One disaster after another — Optimistic or Pessimistic?
When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in China at the end of 2019, no one expected it would be spread over the globe in 2020 and causing enormous problems worldwide. Some, including me, in early 2020, were so optimistic that we thought it would be just a flu-like virus. People like doctor Wenliang Li pointed out soon it was another pneumonia virus as dangerous as SARS 2003. However, few people seemed to be pessimistic because the COVID-19 virus did not take its full force until several months later: first in European countries like Italy and Spain, then in USA, and later to every corner of the world.
In May, when the full impact of the pandemic was taking its shape in USA, George Floyd, a 46-year-old American black, was killed by a white police officer during arrest. This event caused worldwide months-long protests against police brutality.
It was not over with the above disastrous events in USA. Wild bush fires influenced west coast states in USA in the middle 2020, causing dozens of deaths and tremendous property damage.
There was a record-breaking rate of 2020 Atlantic hurricane season: 27 tropical or subtropical cyclones, 26 named storms, 10 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes.
On 4 August, an enormous amount of ammonium nitrate stored at the port of City Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon, exploded, causing 203 deaths, 6500 injuries, and US$15 billion in property damage, and leaving about 300000 people homeless.
On the morning of 27 September 2020, war broke out in Nagorno-Karabakh between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Azerbaijan, supported by Turkey, fought against the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh, supported by Armenia. We also found continuing conflicts in Libya, Syria, and Sudan.
Even worse, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a global recession in economy. Millions of people became jobless, and many businesses were hard hit. Experts say the economic crisis, mainly caused by the pandemic, is so severe that it is the largest one since World War II.
The above list of disasters would trouble many. What attitude should writers have toward these disasters? Optimistic or pessimistic? Shouldn’t we bring hope to our readers in our writings? Although writers may not have all the answers to these disasters, we need endeavour to cheer our readers up. At least, we can show them we are fearless to these disasters, even if we may be hindered by them.
Go with the changes and the new norms
Take the COVID-19 pandemic as an example, many would agree our lives have been changed by the pandemic greatly.
We have to wear masks in public places, and we stay at home most of the time and we have to cancel oversee travel plans. During the lockdown, college students have to take courses online instead of going to campuses. Lots of companies have to make employees work at home and hold online meetings, using Zoom or other software. When we are sick other than the COVID-19 infection, we have to call our doctors to prescribe medicament instead of going to see the doctor. During the first wave of the pandemic, we have limited knowledge of the COVID-19 virus, and now we are expecting effective vaccine. Actually, some countries have put some vaccine products against COVID-19 out in the market already.
Because of the pandemic, many young people may have social and psychologic problems. This may result from their longer stay at home and lack of social contacts with peers.
We have to adjust ourselves to the new norms in our daily lives. Difficult. But we have to.
Shouldn’t we as writers help those who are troubled by the pandemic or other disasters?
Outstanding works may come out because of these disasters
After the first and second world wars in the last century, significant works came out as writers depicted peoples’ sufferings and losses. Traumatic stories, as results of wars, are still widely read by generations of people. We expect responsible writers, maybe you, to produce writings to inspire readers and to encourage people to combat with these disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic. As every loss of a life and sufferings are worthy of memory in a written form, at least for his/her loved ones. Every aspect of the above list of disasters coming from different angles of the world may become the suitable topic of a responsible writer. We expect good writing comes out in the forthcoming years, maybe from you who are reading this article now.
Persistence will prevail
We know that the pandemic will end, just as all other disasters listed above. We shall eye the end of the chaotic 2020, no matter what worse thing may come out in the end of 2020. We shall win at last, as persistence will prevail. I believe there is always hope. Fellow bloggers, or serious writers, we can contribute to this goal to bring hope to the suffering people, just as those writers who produced monumental works after the two world wars. Time waits for no man. Let’s write to encourage, to comfort and to amuse.
