These are indeed very challenging and stressful times for many.
The intention of my letter is not to downplay our missing of the friends, family, places and things we did as part of our (normal) everyday lives. Of course, there is also the significant emotional, financial, and in many cases physical toll, this COVID strange time is having on many.
I believe we as a people, a community and country at times, need to remind ourselves, that we are a very small part of our whole world. On that note, I was prompted to do some research to see some stats concerning the developing countries (or, the Third World), and their challenges, vs. the developed countries, like Canada. What are the developing countries facing on a daily basis, besides COVID?
Yes, we are into extremely hard challenging times, as is the whole world.
Meanwhile on the Other Side, some stats:
Total World Populations (Estimates) for the Other Side.
1. Lacking water, 1.1 billion
2. No sanitation, 2 billion
3. Extreme poverty, 1.89 billion (36 per cent+ of world population)
4. Extreme hunger, 821+ million
5. Displaced people, more than 80 million
But wait, there’s more: I left out infant mortality, wars, access to health care and COVID, etc. Just some stats to ponder and remind us all.
On a personal level I needed to do research on this info to reinforce how truly fortunate we are. The facts and stats are a stark, very heavy reminder.
My apologies if you feel I am preaching. I know you all are well aware of how great our lives are living in this part of the world, and I know how thankful you all feel. I also realize we all try and do our part.
And yeah, it’s nice to have the extreme luxury of being able to complain once in a while during the difficult times. I just feel we need to remember what the majority of people in our world face every day of their lives.
Thank you for reading this and if you have time passing it on.
To life, friendship, love, happiness and health, and a better world.
Steve Frankel,
Ladysmith