WION Edit: Coronavirus pandemic - is this a world war in disguise?

There are no comparable human events to the coronavirus pandemic anymore. Over 191,000 deaths and more than two million cases have been reported so far.

Half of humanity is under lockdown and the pandemic has caused the biggest recession in a decade. The impact of this pandemic beats any conflict or calamity in human history. 

What signifies a war? 1. Death and human misery; 2.  Bleeding economies; 3. Shortage of supplies; 4. The capture of territories; 5. The emergence of new powers.

Isn't all of this happening right now?

This virus is lethal and it knows no border. The richest nations are the hardest hit. This virus has brought Europe down to its knees.

However, things are looking up in the country where the virus originated. China has reported no new coronavirus deaths for the ninth straight day. 
 
Here's what else happens in a war - economies bleed, markets tank and that's exactly what's happening. The IMF expects the global economy to shrink by 3 per cent this year.

Lockdowns are causing job losses. In America, 26 million jobs have been lost in the last five weeks. The highest number of people have sought unemployment benefits since the great depression.

The third fallout of war is a massive shortage of supplies. Millions under lockdown are already hanging by the thread. The UN world food programme estimates that 265 million people are at risk of an acute food shortage.

At least 55 virus-hit countries will fail to meet 'nutrition demands' by the end of this year. The world is on the brink of a 'hunger pandemic'.

Here is the next side effect of war - the capture of new territories. China is controlling islands, tensions are rising over oil and warships are buzzing around this waterway.

Beijing is pumping money and taking control of world bodies like the WHO. Countries across the world are busy saving themselves from the virus as china usurps territories.

Lastly, the emergence of new powers. The existing world order is broken. Global institutions have failed, superpowers like the United States are bruised and bleeding. There's a leadership vacuum.

This virus has beaten our geopolitical imaginations. We think of armed conflicts and missiles, but other things too can kill and control.

If this isn't a war, what is?

(Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)