In the post-apocalyptic 2015 series, The Last Man on Earth, Will Forte (cast as Phil Miller) wakes up to a new world empty of its 7billion people. An entire race suddenly disappears from what they used to call home. Earth is vacant, uninhabited, silent. The streets are safe from bandits and outlaws, but not the good kind of ‘safe’. Not the secure kind of ‘safe’, but the ‘empty’ ‘where-is-everybody’ kind. A virus wipes them out. Schools, malls and market areas first take the hit – experiencing lower and lower turn out, until they all dry out. And then, nobody goes anywhere anymore.

These are critical times. What used to be disturbing is now critical. People are running into bunkers. Doomsday theories are taking over the headlines. Looks like terror undertook a rebirth, underwent plastic surgery and resurfaced with many heads. The rearing, scariest, most disturbing of these heads is COVID-19 (“Coronavirus”). Now affecting more than 129 countries, more than 120,000 people have been infected worldwide. Celebrities and politicians are joining the long list.

This is not a drill.

Here’s how the virus is impacting the world.

1. As if the war with the United States didn’t do enough damage, the virus has put a giant, monstrous leg on China’s economic brakes. Stocks are falling, falling, falling. According to Standard Chartered, with much of the country on lockdown, the virus may impact up to 42% of the economy. Chinese airlines are projected to lose more than $29 billion dollars from the continued grounding of planes.

2. The National Basketball Association has suspended the season until further notice.

3. UEFA Champions League, Europa League, the Spanish La Liga, the torch-lighting ceremony of the Olympics in Tokyo – all have been postponed. More than 15 other sports ranging from wrestling to tennis, boxing, MotoGP, etc., are suffering the same fate.

4. The Premier League is holding closed-door sessions. The theme is central – should the league be suspended till further notice?

5. Famous people: Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson (his wife), Sophie Trudeau (wife of Canadian Prime Minister), Mikel Arteta (Arsenal’s head coach)– all have tested positive.

But it’s not all gloomy news. In fact, the fatality rate of the virus is way lower than its fame has convinced us; according to the WHO, between 3-4%. That means, for every 100 infected persons, only 3-4 results in deaths. Out of the 139,499 cases reported at the time of writing this post, only 5,120 have died. 70, 733 have recovered, with another 57,937 in mild conditions. You can visit https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ for live updates.

A few tips: clean your hands thoroughly with an alcohol-based hand rub/gel, or wash them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. It’s okay to be antisocial for the time being, prefer social distancing to hugs and needless closed circle gatherings, avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth. In related info, resist panic-buying but ensure to have essentials handy always in case it ever comes to that.

Stay safe.

Gbolahan Olayemi is an innovative attorney with a particular interest in technology and corporate law, and exceptional skills in communication, drafting & advocacy.