Corona Says
Summary
The poem "Corona Says" is written from the perspective of the coronavirus, which speaks to humans about its presence on Earth. The speaker claims that it was invited to visit and had no choice but to come, and it points out that humans often blame the speaker for the suffering it causes, but they do not consider the harm they cause through their own actions, such as wars. The speaker suggests that it wanted to show humans the value of clean air and the suffering of caged animals, and it urges humans to be more self-aware and considerate of their impact on the world. The speaker warns that it will eventually leave, but that there will be other similar entities that will come in the future, and it advises humans to change their ways and get rid of their inflated ego in order to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and to prevent future challenges.
Answer the following questions.
a. Who is the speaker in the poem?
The speaker in the poem is the Coronavirus.
b. Who claim that they are superior to all?
Humans claim that they are superior to all other living things on Earth.
c. Why has the speaker come to the Earth?
The speaker has come to Earth because of abuse to the nature by people.
d. What positive changes have occurred on Earth after the speaker's visit?
After the speaker's visit, the air has become cleaner and sky is blue.
Reference to the context
a. What does the speaker mean when he says:
But have you ever counted
How many have died so far
Because of you and your wars?
It appears that the speaker is suggesting that humans are responsible for causing death and destruction through their wars and conflicts. The speaker seems to be pointing out that humans often focus on the harm caused by the speaker's presence, but they do not consider the harm caused by their own actions. The speaker is implying that humans should be more self-reflective and consider the negative impact of their actions on others.
b. Explain the following:
I will depart one day.
But remember
There’re many others like me.
They’ll come too.
If you don’t get rid of your inflated ego,
You’ll be back to your cave time
That you endured
Long, l o n g, l o n g ago …
In this context, the speaker is suggesting that they will eventually leave Earth, but that other similar entities will come in the future. The speaker is warning humans that if they do not change their ways and get rid of their inflated ego, they will repeat the same patterns of behavior that led to suffering in the past. The phrase "back to cave time" could be interpreted as a metaphor for a primitive or challenging period of existence. The speaker is urging humans to be more self-aware and considerate of their impact on the world around them in order to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and to prevent future challenges.
c. What does the speaker mean in the following lines? Explain.
The earth is not your property alone -
It’s as much ours as yours.
In these lines, the speaker is suggesting that the Earth belongs to everyone, not just humans. The speaker is implying that humans do not have the right to treat the Earth as their own personal property, and that they must respect the rights and interests of other living beings on the planet. The speaker is emphasizing the interconnectedness of all living things on Earth and the need for humans to be more mindful of their impact on the environment and other beings.
Reference beyond the text
What human behaviours are responsible for the suffering in people's lives?
Some human behaviors that may contribute to suffering in people's lives include:
- Selfishness: Prioritizing one's own interests above the needs or well-being of others can lead to suffering for both the person acting selfishly and those around them.
- Greed: The desire to acquire more wealth or power can lead to behavior that harms others, causing suffering.
- Violence: Physical or verbal aggression can cause harm and suffering to both the perpetrator and the victim.
- Discrimination: Prejudice and discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation can lead to suffering for those who are targeted.
- Disregard for the well-being of others: Neglecting the needs and feelings of others, or failing to consider the consequences of one's actions on others, can cause suffering for those affected.
How does an epidemic differ from pandemic? Briefly explain the impact of Corona Virus on human life and environment.
An epidemic is a large-scale outbreak of a disease that affects a specific population within a specific geographic region. A pandemic is a global outbreak of a disease that affects a large number of people across multiple countries and regions.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) is a pandemic that originated in China in late 2019 and has spread to nearly every country in the world. The virus is primarily spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes, and it can cause severe illness or death, particularly in older adults or those with underlying health conditions.
The impact of the coronavirus on human life has been significant. The virus has caused widespread illness and death, and the measures taken to control its spread, such as lockdowns, quarantines, and travel restrictions, have disrupted daily life, disrupted economies, and caused social isolation and mental health issues.
The impact of the coronavirus on the environment has been less clear. Some studies have suggested that the reduction in human activity during lockdowns has led to a temporary decrease in air pollution and an increase in wildlife activity, but the overall long-term impact of the virus on the environment is not yet known.