34 APRIL/MAY 2020 www.vanguardcanada.com
CoViD-19
COVID-19. It's the stuff that gripping, suspense-filled movies
are made of:
A new virus of a mysterious origin emerges in a faraway land. Shifting from an
epidemic to a pandemic within weeks, it spreads like wildfire across the globe. It's
infecting thousands upon thousands, straining healthcare and social services systems,
putting militaries on standby and placing national security on high alert.
Swiftly, both supply and demand dry up at the same time and cash flows are re-
duced to mere drips followed by widespread unemployment. Governments respond
with varying mitigation strategies – some isolating incidence clusters, closing bor-
ders, suspending travel and restricting the public's movement.
An enormous cost and human rights conundrum in balancing freedoms with pre-
cautionary steps, other governments take a conservative 'wait and see' stance and
impose minimal restrictions. Others do nothing.
The public, sensing an impending shortage of goods, respond by panic-buying
cleaning products, food and necessities, and taking their frustrations to social me-
dia. Soon, common items – toilet paper, sanitizers, sanitary products, face masks,
even ventilators – that were once abundant become critically scarce, only to pop up
on online marketplaces at hugely inflated prices.
Millions of businesses are shuttered, even more shelter in place for weeks and the
bustling cities of the world fall silent. With no end in sight, worries of poverty, failing
sectors, rising costs, food shortages and a mental health crisis remain unanswered.
The absence of critical care equipment, tests, treatments and vaccines instill a deeper
fear.
As the world collectively strains to see a horizon on the other side of this crisis, all
wonder: has the worst materialized or is it yet to come?
Recently, I spoke with Vanguard Radio on COVID-19 as both a threat-event
and as a national security concern and how it may expose vulnerabilities of a na-
tion, setting the stage for grey zone tactics by adversaries.
National
Security, the
Economy and
COVID-19:
fifty ShAdES of
thE GrEy ZonE