A surprise nightmare, from out of the depths of history. One of those dangers we thought we had neutralized with the incredible advances in technology, is marching across the world: a pandemic.

The coronavirus.

A nightmare that is even darker due to the fact that we don’t know basic things about the disease.
Is our reaction too exaggerated? How long will it last?

The lack of information and the uncertainty it causes make the problem possibly worse than it actually is.

This all began in authoritarian China, where officials, for political reasons, attempted to conceal it or even to devalue its importance.

The opposite was needed.

Transparency. Immediate and dynamic responses with all the scientific tools and measures we humans have at our disposal, along with common sense.

But it spread.

President Trump is also trying to downplay the seriousness of the situation. To keep the number of reported patients low, he did not want the passengers aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship to land in the United States, explaining: “I like the numbers being where they are.”

And on Friday morning, he said: “I think we’re in great shape.” But obviously we are not.

The number of patients is multiplying daily. The stock market plunged 7% on Monday.

Airlines are constantly curtailing their routes due to reduced demand.

Italy has shut down.

Events – many in the Greek-American Community – have been canceled.

The only thing we care about right now is disinfecting our hands.

But above all, there is the uncertainty stemming from a lack of trust in the authorities.

So it’s time to ask the question: are the authorities responsible for the coronavirus?

Had the authorities done their job properly, wouldn’t the spread of the virus have been prevented?

How can a pandemic be allowed in 2020?

Now regarding Greece: the Greeks say: “στραβό το κλήμα το έφαγε και ο γάιδαρος – first the vine became crooked, then the donkey ate it” – things are going from bad to worse.

When Italy, with its huge debt and the third largest EU economy ‘shuts down’, how can it not affect all of Europe?
And regarding the direct impact on Greece – if only through a decline in tourism – if the virus is not checked in time, the country will be put to a tough test.