The world business after coronavirus
This storm will pass. But the choices we make now could change our lives for years to come
Humankind is now facing a global crisis. Perhaps the biggest crisis of our
generation. The decisions people and governments take in the next few weeks
will probably shape the world for years to come. They will shape not just our
healthcare systems but also our economy, politics and culture. We must act
quickly and decisively. We should also take into account the long-term
consequences of our actions. When choosing between alternatives, we should
ask ourselves not only how to overcome the immediate threat, but also what kind
of world we will inhabit once the storm passes. Yes, the storm will pass,
humankind will survive, most of us will still be alive — but we will inhabit a
different world.
In this time of crisis, we face two particularly important choices. The first is between totalitarian surveillance and citizen empowerment. The second is between nationalist isolation and global solidarity.