Scary news today, as London converts its ExCel convention center to hold 4000 critical care beds, and New York City hospitals are increasingly overwhelmed.
Some sociologists are even suggesting that the Corona pandemic will mark the end of high-density cities.
Let's continue the conversation.
Some sociologists are even suggesting that the Corona pandemic will mark the end of high-density cities.
Let's continue the conversation.
Comments
Interesting thought about the future of high-density cities. NY is certainly suffering badly.
The news from Italy is not encouraging - it's spreading southwards. Rome would be bad enough but the thought of it in Naples is appalling.
Just as it would be if it were affected by the local volcanicity. The ensuing chaos would be unthinkable.
Abandoning billions of dollars of high density real estate is not something our society will do here in America (and I doubt in the UK or other Populous countries like ours. People would rather die than leave their cities. I live in a relatively rural county and many folks who come here just want enough land to build a house on a nice size lot, they don't want acreage (if they could even afford it).
It would be nice if it more people were able to work from home going forward, but my experience in two large corporations tell me that that will probably not change too much, either.
Compared to other massive disease outbreaks, we are nowhere near the worst, (we have't even hit average deaths in a regular flu season yet in the US) and all the other truly massive body counts over the centuries didn't stop anyone from continuing to live in and form many more big cities.
Also, @JocelynsBellinis, I hope you're on your way to full recovery at the beach!
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I agree with bloggers who said this virus will not have much effect on high density cities. Maybe more families with kids will move to the suburbs but cities serve a valuable purpose in society. More likely will be changes to the health care in particular the public health system.
I was out for groceries today and was mulling over something I read elsewhere of getting people to write down their memories of this time. It then went on about how it is this generation's Kennedy-9/11-etc event marker.
At the same I was processing about how they think this may become an episodic thing which made me think of polio outbreaks (Dad had polio).
I threw the whole mental lines of thinking together and thought: Yeah, it's that same sense of scary don't know a lot about AIDS other than you have a basic death sentence and now all those free love doesn't matter much who you sleep with will no longer just fall into bed with whomever without a care. We will no longer have the same sense of no worries about going on about our normal business the way we all used to (or until they get a better handle on this).
I remain very optimistic about the final outcome of this. It's going to be a horrible slog for awhile, but we will get through it! We have to keep each others' spirits up!
Prayers headed your way for you and your family member. Please thank them for helping all of us.
@Elle, I am now pain-free, except for slight pain in my knees and calves at night. I seemed to turn around quickly, and my body feels so light, like it's floating in jello, happy to be rid of the pain. I'm sleeping like crazy.
I don't think this will affect the large cities. Trade routes and commerce centers are a part of civilization and will be needed for our country, and the world, to continue. I think we'll probably go back to exactly the way we were, but more tele-commuting may be on the horizon.
In Europe we have been under restrictions and now under lockdown for a longer time than the US has, and you can already see a huge effect on people's behaviour and on society.
A lot of people have become kinder. Thousands of retired nurses have applied as volunteers in hospitals. Clothing companies are making masks and cosmetics companies are making hand sanitiser.
Out-of-work top chefs are making meals for the elderly, which are being delivered by out-of-work driving instructors. Out-of-work musicians are giving free concerts in balconies and in gardens of retirement homes. Children who can't go to school are crafting cards for their self-isolating grandparents. Veterinarians have donated their animal ventilators. Fireworks companies have donated their fireworks glasses.
I hope this kindness continues once this pandemic is (hopefully) over.
Also, companies are seeing a huge change in people's (online) shopping behaviour. No one is buying clothes - except for track suits and pyjamas. Gone are the days of spending money on useless consumer goods. Instead, people are buying food, crafting materials, board games, books. Families are spending much more time together and have more time to cook, sleep, talk, help their kids with homework.
The air above my country has become significantly less polluted. There is far less crime. The drug trade has come to a virtual standstill.
I am not saying this pandemic is a good thing. But it definitely has an unexpected silver lining.
I expect that some "non-essential" people that are working from home will decide that being in the city is not worth their lives and, indeed, things may become much more widely disseminated.
I think that there will be a LOT of permanent changes after this pandemic which will not be limited to city composition and density. I think that we can agree that there will be changes but as to what form those changes will take, I'm not sure. Will there be more doctor's offices participating in telemedicine and less in-person visits? Will a lot more tests be developed to allow people to self-test and submit to a lab?
Indeed, what will happen in education? There are a lot of college students finding that maybe the campus is far less necessary than they had thought. It is looking *very* unlikely that school will resume this school year. Right now, the staff has to coordinate so that no more than 20 are on the school grounds at any one time. Will more people decide "Hey, this home-schooling is actually easier than I thought!" and pull little Trevor and Heather from school permanently?
What is funny to me is that the "essential" people aren't the self-important people that look down upon everybody else, but the people stocking and cleaning the grocery stores, handing out medications, keeping the electricity on, making sure your toilet isn't clogged, and quietly keeping the garbage collected.
Sadly that hasn't happened here. Drug dealers are still dealing. Thieves are still thieving. Carjackers are still carjacking.
Our air is clean.
In The Netherlands, house break-ins, theft (from shops, bicycle theft and car theft) and pickpocketing have significantly decreased as the streets are so quiet and there are no tourists. And everyone is at home, which makes house break-ins rather more challenging.
The drug trade (especially cocaine and XTC) is dependent on air and sea travel and there is none at the moment.
What I HAVE noticed since China has shut down is that we haven't had as many drug overdoses and deaths.
Temperatures in Miami: 80s F during the day, 70s F during the evening, humidity @ 65%. (Miami/Dade county and Broward county are where the majority of cases are at the present time, but Jacksonville/Duval county wants to be a contender with several people infected in an assisted care facility.) The number of those hospitalized for COVID-19 in Florida have jumped by about 200 today for a total of 410. The people in the high-risk age groups, those 65 and above, are actually a minority of those that have contracted the disease, something like 22% of the total. The average age of the positive cases in the counties with the most cases (Tampa/Hillsborough, Miami/Dade, Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale/Broward) is in the 40s. 27,343 tests have been submitted at this point, and testing continues.
Does the heat and humidity lower the spread of the virus? Not that I can see.
Does running around in skimpy bathing suits and tanning and building up vitamin D make people more resistant to the disease? Unknown at this time.
Whenever it gets into a nursing home/independent living facility where the residents have medical conditions that prohibit them from living on their own, death rates are significant. However, the older/more frail of our residents are not the only ones dying from this.
More rural areas have had very little spread of the virus to date. Heavier populated areas is where the significant spread is taking place.
Our biggest exposure was via international travel and Port Everglades.
The essential workers keep us alive. Bless you for bringing to OUR attention. Let us not forget when this is over to thank them,
as we do our military. God bless them and keep them safe from harm!🙏🏻
Cities in general might have to morph or adapt in ways unforeseen to us now, but I can't give it up. Although, for the last year or so, my husband and I have dreamed of owning acreage near a big Rocky Mountain ski resort. The way we see it, it's enough of a seasonal draw for well-traveled/heeled set that could lend itself well to husband's business/skill set, and yet the crowds ebb and flow, as the seasons change.
But again, the pull of the city is too much for us to truly take the plunge, even in this dystopian nightmare.
I am so thankful you are recovered and getting your strength back.
We are all in this together. Your kind words towards my family are deeply appreciated.❤
I am still working every day. Getting yelled at every day, people threatening to “go elsewhere” because we are out of a certain dog food (I work at a pet food store). People are ugly out there, and still out shopping in droves....whole families were in my store all day today. MN governor has issued a stay at home order, but no one is listening still.
I find myself getting more annoyed every hour at work. Not very big of me, I know. But when soooo many people (more than normal) come in and don’t do social distancing, well, I feel trapped by their germs and bad decisions. My store is a small family owned business, customers first as it should be. But to the detriment of myself and my coworkers. No limiting who comes in.
Not sure what will happen if one of us gets sick, will all the hundreds of customers I help every day be notified? What about grocery store workers? I am just no longer comfortable with the risk, but it’s falling on deaf ears at my work.
When does one sacrifice themself for the greater good?
Thanks for looking out for me. It is so appreciated. It feels great to feel good again!
@Meowwww,
Could your pet store close to the public, but take phone or email/text orders for next-day pickup? That would stop the crowds in your store, and you could also limit the number of people allowed inside at one time for indoor pickup, or offer curbside or outdoor pick-up. Of course, some people will complain, but most will understand. This might mean a reduction in your receipts, but at least you're open for business and serving your customers as best as you can for both their safety and yours. Just a thought. Good luck!
I'm really sorry for you. I went to my pet store two days ago : they have limited their opening time, and they allow only 5 clients in the store at the same time.
We are asked to wash our hands with hydroalcoolic gel.
They put a large plastic film in front of the cashier to protect the employee.
They don't touch the products, just flash the bar codes, and we pay via credit card only.
@JocelynsBellinis
I'm so happy to have so good news from you !
I've seen that the US are now the first country by the number of cases. Yesterday a 16 year old girld died from covid-19 ; she was an healthy teenager... The situation is frightening.
Be careful everybody.