A Pandemic… Now A War… Damn!

The international scene right now is characterized by an unsettling succession of crises. From transitioning from a widespread pandemic to tensions and direct conflicts of war, we have hit an all-time period of “Are You Serious?” This rapid succession has created a challenge and nationwide despair across many societies worldwide.

I would like to share my thoughts and summarize the multifaceted impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by major global conflicts, examining their profound effects on global society, economy, and what this has done to human psychology (a.k.a what this has done to our generation), and highlighting the emergent concept of a ‘polycrisis’.

Right now, it feels like the world is stuck in a cycle of crisis and uncertainty. How did we end up here? It seems like as soon as one crisis ends, another starts. First a pandemic, now a war. Will things ever slow down?

The Lingering Shadow of the Pandemic

If someone had told me five years ago what 2020 would be like, I wouldn’t have believed it.

COVID-19 was the downfall of our society, changing everything.

It was a time of global disruption. TikTok became the new hype. Masks were the new normal. The barren streets looked like a scene from a thriller, and students never returned after spring break. At first, we saw COVID-19 as a health crisis that would only last a week. On the contrary, little did we know it would be an everlasting year-and-a-half-long shutdown. Hospitals being overwhelmed by incoming covid patients caused many deaths and forced strict lockdowns.

Above all, there are still huge economic problems that are ongoing.

We still see the effects today, with supply chain problems, job losses, and a drop in global markets. Even with all these negatives, the pandemic brought new ways of living, like remote work and more time spent alone. I guess you can say this is a win.

The pandemic also left a deep hole in our mental health. Many people in my generation now struggle with anxiety and stress because of facing an uncertain future. Problems like depression, loneliness, and feeling lost are becoming much more common.

The Onset of War and Geopolitical Instability

And now, on top of everything else, there is war.

​As we try to recover from the pandemic and pursue new ambitions, attention has quickly turned to new and growing conflicts between countries. This shift has brought us from fighting an invisible virus to facing open warfare. With the new US-Iran War, this is just another rift in the timeline. People are being forced to leave their homes in other countries, resulting in many deaths and destruction.

I don’t know what to say. These wars have changed the way countries relate to each other, worsening old tensions and sparking new conflicts. It’s as if there is no break to enjoy life, and to top it all off, this new war has made it much harder to get energy and food, causing prices to rise and shortages to happen. The economy was hurt by the pandemic, and is now even weaker.

I recently came across the term “polycrisis.” It describes what we’re living through now, with crises such as the pandemic, wars, economic problems, and climate change, all happening at once and changing our world.

We are living in a time of uncertainty.

Because of all this, people have lost a lot of trust in institutions, governments, and working together between countries.

Challenges and Resilience

Sadly, we are now living in a ‘new normal.’ Stress has become a familiar feeling, replacing joy. At the same time, it’s clear that local solutions and strong communities matter more than ever, as global systems are slowly disintegrating. People and societies need to find new ways to navigate all this uncertainty and seek hope, even when things are tough.

Sometimes it feels like my generation never gets a break.

Moving from a global pandemic to widespread conflict has deeply affected our society, economy, and mental health. The idea of a polycrisis shows just how many challenges we face at once.

In the end, our ability to adapt and work together will shape how we get through this complicated and uncertain time.

If you feel the same, drop a comment down below and share your thoughts!​