ALTHOUGH COVID-19 slammed the world with so much pain, angst, and devastating economic contraction, with people worldwide panicking when considering the future, the signs indicate that humanity may actually see some significant benefits emanating from the pandemic. The United States, England, India and countries worldwide battle the virus with severe national agony, but under the surface of society, global planners are setting up new systems to radically improve how humans live post-COVID-19.
Technology is the main driver for preparing the world for a new tomorrow, but reforms of social programmes, innovative monetary policy at Central Banks around the world, and new futuristic ways of living are all re-defining what tomorrow will be. The pandemic is forcing mainstream society to consider previously unthinkable social benefits to citizens, such as Guaranteed Basic Income, or Universal Basic Income, as it is called in some societies, and Universal Health Care for all, and Universal Higher Education. There is a global movement that is pushing for these social benefits to become human rights around the world. Indeed, Canada is among a host of nations around the world that implemented COVID relief to citizens of $2,000 C’dian a month, and instituted automatic emergency aid to care-givers, senior citizens, and children. The United States is moving to increase its US$600 stimulus to US$2,000.
In Guyana, the government rolled out its stimulus package of $25,000 to every household. President Ali gave notice that university education at the University of Guyana will be free. And the country’s healthcare system is going through major upgrade, with public health free and accessible to every Guyanese.

The pandemic exposes a big dysfunction within society, all over the world, whereby there is a great divide between the haves and the have-nots, between the super-rich and the desperately poor, between the vulnerable of society, and the well-off. And debates are now mainstream about correcting these anomalies. Governments are starting to install social programmes and compassionate policies that were unthinkable in much of the world before the pandemic hit. So, post-COVID, the world will see a humanity that is much more humane, compassionate, and that takes care of the less fortunate; the vulnerable and the poor with greater consideration.
Guyana is well au fait with much of these new social programmes, with government fully cognisant of its role as a government of the people. Guyanese are thankful that this government is well known for its immense care for the poor, the vulnerable of society, and the marginalised. It takes care of seniors, children, and the disabled. Guyana, therefore, is well positioned to align with the world system that is coming into play, post-pandemic. Many countries are having a hard time adjusting to the new society that is emerging, with the United States especially affected. In fact, the US has to go through a major revamp of its socioeconomic philosophy to fit in with a world that is less prone to the rabid profit-at-all-cost way of life.
Apart from social programmes, and a more compassionate world, COVID-19 is also opening up a new urgency to take determined action on climate change concerns. For example, the industry for self-driven cars is accelerating worldwide, with Germany announcing the phasing out of gasoline and carbon-fuel vehicles this decade.
This pandemic mirrors the Spanish Flu disaster of 1918, a century ago. After that devastating global catastrophe, which coincided with World War I, the world went through a massive transformation, with cars and motor vehicles replacing the horse and buggy as the means of transportation. The transportation revolution then caused a brand new world to emerge; one of massive highways and paved roads, the ubiquitous gas station, and a global oil sector that fuelled great socioeconomic development and drove the Industrial Age. The global population moved away from farms and feudal existence to fast-paced metropolitan cities and factories.

For the past 100 years, the Industrial Revolution engineered a massive leap forward in the living standards of much of humanity. However, the past 100 years also built up the disastrous carbon footprint that the Paris Climate Agreement is aimed at curbing and correcting. After this COVID pandemic, the world will see the Paris Agreement really take on teeth, in every country.
So, the 21st Century global village is shaping up to be one that is much more compassionate to vulnerable and marginalised citizens, and that tackles with real teeth the pollution and carbon footprint that endangers the planet. Were it not for the pandemic now sweeping the world, these would be exciting times, with the transformation that is about to happen, although a significant chunk of the world population may resent change, and would kick against the transformation now underway.
But a new world is emerging. And Guyanese would be happy that Guyana is on the cusp of this brave new world, with a progressive government running the State; with the oil-and-gas sector ramping up, and with the traditional economic sectors all showing signs of robust growth and development. Guyana seems poised to become an outstanding leader in the new world that is emerging, with the nation embodying the spirit of the new age.