Danger and Opportunity in the Time of Coronavirus
04-Aug 2019
The Etymology of Crisis: Turning Point, Danger, and Opportunity
Historically, the first appearance of the term “crisis” in the time of the ancient Greeks goes back to the field of medical science—krino, meaning “turning point.” This was the moment in which the patient rapidly shifts for better or worse within a short period of time.
In Chinese, however, the term “crisis” is composed of two characters: one meaning “danger” and the other meaning “opportunity.”
Crises of all kinds—political, economic, social, environmental, and health-related—are linked in the world of policymaking to the element of surprise, which includes pressure, lack of preparedness, and limited time for decision-making to reduce losses.
These factors force national leaders, amid uncertainty and scarce information, to make choices involving harsh trade-offs in an attempt to restore balance with the least possible damage. Such trade-offs may themselves become a factor that leads to wrong decisions whose consequences states might not be able to bear.
The Twin Crises of Coronavirus
The Coronavirus, which the World Health Organization classified as a pandemic in February, is characterized by its inherent ability to spread rapidly across borders.
This ability produced two kinds of crises: a health crisis that even the best health systems still struggle to confront, and an economic crisis that will certainly exceed the effects of the 2007 global crisis, whose repercussions many economies are still suffering from.
The Coronavirus that emerged from Wuhan, despite China’s initial denial, eventually led the country’s highest leadership to acknowledge that it was a crisis posing a danger—one that must be overcome by finding opportunities that make the nation stronger.
This implicit acknowledgment transformed Wuhan into a crisis-management hub for a Chinese policy supported by the World Health Organization, rejecting surrender to the virus, conspiracy narratives, or a “herd immunity” approach.
Instead, extreme measures were imposed—unprecedented in history—turning Wuhan into a ghost city for a considerable period.
China’s Crisis Management and Economic Opportunity
The success of China’s health policies largely protected its health system from danger and turned the situation into what could be called an “economic opportunity.”
Anyone familiar with Chinese history would recognize China’s remarkable ability to exploit crises and convert them into opportunities—and the Coronavirus crisis is no different.
China is now attempting to implement economic policies that will help it exert a new form of economic influence, as part of a soft attempt to reshape the global political-economic order and extend its leadership across the world.
Amman’s Swift Response: A Royal Effort and Strict Measures
While the battle against the virus in Wuhan was raging, in Amman—the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, thousands of miles away—a crisis center was preparing scenarios for the virus’s arrival.
Jordan became the first Arab country to send what could only be described as a “Royal” plane to bring home its citizens stranded in Wuhan, fulfilling the constitutional right of Jordanians to return to their country—without forgetting many of our fellow Arabs as well.
This blessed first step in a long journey to confront the spread of the virus was followed by major measures similar to the Chinese model.
Most notably, this included the activation of the Defense Law, which allowed for strict full and partial curfews unprecedented in Jordan for a long time.
These successful government measures—led by the Prime Minister and acknowledged even by many critics—despite their severity and despite some mistakes, helped reduce misinformation, tension, and rumors, narrowing the trust gap between the government and the people that often widens during crises.
Jordanians even found themselves in an almost romantic evening rendezvous with the TV at 8:00 p.m., awaiting the latest updates on the virus from two serious yet endearing faces: one diplomatic and media-savvy, the other from the military institution—before both served as ministers.
What Comes Next? Building a Distinct Jordanian Economic Model
Although we are still in the midst of this war against the virus, the Jordanian measures taken—with Jordanian lives as the top priority from the very first moment—give us hope that we are heading toward a near victory on the health front.
But this prioritization has forced the Jordanian state into economic choices, pressures, and compromises with immediate and future consequences, due to the shock the pandemic imposed on certain economic sectors.
These pressures require an effort parallel to the health effort—one that must begin now—by economic policymakers, because this unconventional crisis cannot be addressed with conventional economic solutions.
The Bermuda Triangle of Economic Policy
The crisis revealed shifts toward a more consumption-based economy. Just as the pandemic has highlighted a unique model of strength in Jordan’s public and private institutions, we now need to build a distinct Jordanian economic model.
This model must provide policy responses independent of pre-COVID calculations and reports, and depend instead on collective solidarity and prioritizing the public interest over private interest.
This can happen only through the creation of a “Bermuda Triangle” composed of monetary policy, fiscal policy, and the private sector. The interconnection of these three components would be capable of drawing a complete roadmap for redirecting the economy back onto the right path.
The coming phase will be difficult for Jordan and Jordanians. But forgive us, O homeland—for lovers never abandon the ones they love. This country was born from the womb of crises, and we have full faith that our crisis center, our armed forces, our health workers, our unknown soldiers, and the awareness of our great people will make us capable of overcoming this crisis.
May God protect Jordan, its leadership, and all humanity.
his article was translated from its original language using an AI-powered service. Minor editorial adjustments may have been made for clarity.