14th March 2020, Oslo
Now the Kingdom I am in living, the metropolis and everything is shutting down. The whole Kingdom is slowing down. People are going into home-office, suspending and laying down their tools. Only the vital operations and the ones whose service is dire is continuing. There are measures all around and things are not at all normal.
It is like a post apocalyptic nightmare, but without Will Smith nor any of the other devastating effects. The city isn’t filled with blood-shed and there isn’t a overdrive. There is hoarding of produce and food-stuffs, even toilet paper is out of stocks in the groceries and supermarkets.
There is reports of new people catching the sickness. People are afraid when people are coughing or sneezing. People are worried. There is a dire understanding of all the measures, people wanting more restrictions on travels, check-ups of the ones landing on the borders. While the wealthy and the ones with funds has already collectively travelled to the villages of cottages and staying away from the metropolis.
This isn’t “I Am Legend” neither is it “Mad Max” or a Terminator sequel. This is real life. It hasn’t been a nuclear war. This is in peaceful times here. The actions made is with a purpose. The Corona Virus is deadly and contagious. We don’t know everything about it yet, there are still questions how to battle it and what it takes to contain it.
We are seeing more people catching it, we are seeing the fear and the worry. Everyone is surely following the updates, the numbers and the alarming headlines of big-men into quarantine. People are doing their needed duties, while we are awaiting the next new measure or even possible change.
I have not written about the virus, because I don’t feel qualified neither do I have a deep enough understanding of it. I am just worried, looking at the signs of it, the conditions and what the authorities are saying about it. There are reasons to worry, but also encourage us all stand strong in it all. Even as we all prepare as much as we can. The stocks of anti-bacterial products has run-out and other helpful things is gone for a while.
We are maybe seeing the sun today, but the day is still grim. As we are living in times of uncertainty, of fear of catching the COVID19. We all know this and try to avoid the sickness. Use our means and our tools. Take our precautions and our understanding.
What is happening more now, as the metropolis is a ghost-town, as the police and other authorities are acting up to ill actions of kids and youth. As the state and organizations are all suspended for unknown time. Just a public offices and others has done the same. We are living in extra-ordinary times. This is actions made to stop one sickness. Which we just have to battle and we’re by the meanings we know.
I have never in my own life lived it with this way, where I am myself is called in a risk-group and has a lung-condition, which has made my family worry all week as I used public transport to the offices where I work. Now, from Friday it was settled and I stay home. However, the worry still is there.
That is why with all this worry. I want to leave, but I cannot. The opportunities to flea is closing. The borders are getting shut all-over. The state says the citizens should return home and get quarantined too.
That is why the whole idea of leaving to Wakanda is futile. Also, as it is a imaginary Kingdom. It still would be good to live in a nation with vibranium and behind the protective barrier. That would surely be nice these days. When the sickness can pass through everywhere and more nations are hit as we speak. That is how it seems.
That is why the borders of Wakanda. The shield and the protective barrier, which can rise above Wakanda City, surely could have made a difference now. At least given hope and energy to the public. As they are going to bed at night with uncertainty. Maybe enough toilet-paper, bread and some bags of soup. However, that is reassurance. That is just doing what is needed to secure tomorrow.
I will end with the T’Challa, the speech of the King of Wakanda to the fictional United Nations General Assembly:
“My name is King T’’Challa , son of King T’’Chaka . I am the sovereign ruler of the Nation of Wakanda and for the first time in our history. We will be sharing our knowledge and resources with the outside world. Wakanda will no longer watch from the shadows We cannot, we must not. We will work to be an example of how we as brothers and sisters on this Earth should treat each other. Now more than ever, illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. In times of crisis, the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers . We must find a way to look after one another, as if we were one single tribe” (Wakanda, 2018).
Think those words is needed for today, because as grim the world is today. As the worry, devastating news and the continuing spiral of people catching the decease, we all got to work together in solidarity and ensure that we get to live on. Not give up, but listen to the authorities and secure the future today. So, even as a part of me wants to take a plane to Wakanda. I know it’s not the right thing to do. However, it would be a lie not saying it. That is a natural reflex, but that doesn’t mean you act upon it. It is human to try to get away from the pain, the suffering and the illness coming your way.
Though we will not do it. It is important to think of those who will. They could have been you. They just used their oppertunity and has to answer for their action. We other who follows orders, guidelines and recommandations of the state. Will follow our conscience too. That is why I will stay put, but will follow my gut feeling. So, that me and mines are safe. Peace.