And Now They’re Back

They could hardly wait.
Those smirks — more satisfied than concerned — those lips twitching with the effort of suppressing a laugh that, if ever allowed to burst out freely (though perhaps it’s still a touch too early), would sound suspiciously like applause for themselves, are there to remind us that they told us so, over and over again: it isn’t over.

Hantavirus is the virologists’ foreplay — at least for the social-media variety. Not quite full ecstasy yet, because the case numbers remain too low. So they restrain themselves, as best they can. They cast meaningful glances toward journalists, who for the moment are holding back from a full embrace. They are still in the flirting stage themselves: sluggish, slightly distracted, intoxicated by thoughts of spring and summer, the sea, the holidays. Nobody is eager to spoil them.

And yet, remembering the long and feverish media-health romance consumed a few years ago, they have once again returned — as old flames so often do — to knock on the door of a former love. Just in case it says yes.

Could virologists possibly say no? Of course not. They said yes immediately, flinging wide the front door and casting suggestive glances toward a second one, slightly ajar and half-hidden in the shadows — irresistibly tempting — though still closed. For now.

The experts are still wavering over how to frame the infections reported aboard the cruise ship Hondius: split between those urging calm and those who, between the lines, are doing anything but.

After lavishly congratulating themselves — entirely by themselves, naturally — for their handling of the Covid-19 crisis, the media are already showing unmistakable signs of being ready to do it all over again, exactly the same way.

Should the media pressure mount, politicians and governments will no doubt dust off the old routine too. Hardly surprising, considering they emerged from the last performance not merely spared, but absolved with full honours by that very same media class.

And us?

Confronted with life’s unpleasant surprises, disoriented, hesitant to admit that we move — and always will move — along a tightrope stretched over the abyss, we are already being told that the people we must turn to are the virologists.

Quite a state we’re in, isn’t it?

(gianluca grossi)