Ukraine has adopted the philosophy it’s better safe than sorry when it comes to responding to the coronavirus — or COVID-19.
Despite only one confirmed case, Ukrainian authorities have shut down schools and universities until April 3, banned gatherings of 200 or more people and announced plans to temporarily close most border checkpoints. Meanwhile, many private events have been canceled or rescheduled. Airlines, in particular, are scaling back flights and that means two things for sure: financial losses and employee layoffs soon.
Yes, the global economy is going to take a hit. When that happens, Ukraine usually takes a bigger hit than most nations. Nobody knows how badly, but news organizations won’t be immune.
The Kyiv Post’s first measurable fallout over the coronavirus has come with the rescheduling of our spring Employment Fair. Originally planned for March 28 at Olympic Stadium, we will now move it to May 23, another Saturday, when hopefully the uncertainties and panic surrounding the virus will have subsided. And most of all, hopefully, the virus will have subsided by then. Already, coronavirus has killed 4,200 people and infected 119,132 in 115 countries as of March 11.
So we are lucky so far by comparison, but we’re not happy about the loss of revenue, obviously.
We had more than 20 companies signed up already for our event, but the growing number of worldwide cases, the fear of spread to Ukraine and international media attention prompted other businesses to shy away from participating in the event. Generally, we expect 50 companies and 1,000 attendees. It’s disappointing — and a loss in much-needed revenue to the Kyiv Post, but it is nothing compared to public health and loss of life.
Fear of the unknown is currently ruling society’s behavior. Medical professionals are trying to prepare. Government officials are trying to look decisive. And regular folks are just hunkering down, trying to get by. Only time will tell if people are being overreacting, underreacting or just being wise and prudent.
Like all travelers, I have a coronavirus story. (I won’t even go into the financial losses that everyone who has money in the stock market has endured.)
I had a Ukraine International Airlines flight from Kharkiv to Kyiv on March 10 which was delayed for more than five hours. The airline didn’t tell me why in a series of text messages putting back the time of departure by one-hour increments. But when I got to the airport and checked in, the service representative said it was because the plane had come from Milan, Italy, one of the hardest-hit European nations, and need to be sanitized. So I had the choice: To get on the plane or don’t get on the plane. I decided to board.
It’s hard to know where is the right place to be and what is the right thing to do. I was in New York only several days before the city declared a state of emergency. I flew back to Ukraine before many other nations slapped travel restrictions or bans on incoming international travelers.
One colleague had a three-month fellowship in America canceled because of coronavirus fears. Another colleague will make it out of the country tonight for a six-month fellowship. I am worried about whether I will still be able to make a planned speaking engagement to Ukrainian-American communities in Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Detroit in late April.
With 50 people employed, the Kyiv Post is a microcosm of all forms of reaction to the scare.
Some want to work from home. Others keep hand sanitizers near their desks. Others, like me, haven’t changed much of anything in their lives, outside of washing hands more frequently and trying not to touch my face or shake people’s hands. Maybe I should worry more. But I don’t see how in journalism anybody can avoid contact with humans. There are plenty of risky places now in life besides offices and airplanes: stores, fitness clubs, nightclubs, public transport, taxis, restaurants. The list goes on, but so must life.
The whole world is taking a crash course in the virus and how it gets spread, what its effect on those infected can be (ranging from mild, mercifully in most cases, to fatal) and how to prevent infection — steps that amount to common sense and good hygiene.
There is talk of pharmacies stocking instant test kits, but I don’t see a huge demand in Ukraine yet for such tests, which cost Hr 350 — about $15 each — each.
I’ve already heard a lot of myths and lots of self-proclaimed experts, besides “Doctor” Donald J. Trump, the very stable genius. But many people think this scare will eventually go away as the world learns more about the virus and how to combat it.
Of course, at the Kyiv Post, we encourage people to work from home when they’re sick or see a doctor if they think they’ve been exposed or self-quarantine. But most have chosen to brave it out in the office workplace as we stock up on hand sanitizer.
The longer this goes on, however, the more the economy will be damaged at all levels. The biggest challenge is to contain, cure and bring an end to the loss of life.
If you have a story to share about how the coronavirus is affecting your business and personal lives, let us know. All of our contacts are here.
