An article from a few years ago came to mind recently. It was from Bloomberg and titled, “Americans are Dying Younger, Saving Corporations Billions.”
Even though the article is hidden behind a pay wall I believe this quote sums up the point quite well:
“[O]ver the last two years, at least 12 large companies, from Verizon to General Motors, have said recent slips in mortality improvement have led them to reduce their estimates for how much they could owe retirees by upward of a combined $9.7 billion, according to an analysis of company findings.”
If the reason why this article resurfaced in my thoughts is not obvious let me state that I find it significant that as we enter into a monetary crisis at all levels of society so to have we been assaulted by disease the effects retired populations most severely.
And coincidentally this brings to mind the looming demographic crises for first world nations which was emphasized at the beginning of this year (2020), focusing on China. The simple premise is that the elderly population is troublingly larger than its replacement population, which produces widespread monetary and workforce problems that can drastically impact and incapacitate a society (From the above link):
“First, China will have to pay for the care of a vast elderly population without the resources available to richer societies facing the same challenge. Second, China’s future growth prospects will dim with every year of below-replacement birthrates, because low fertility creates a self-reinforcing cycle — in which a less youthful society loses dynamism and growth, which reduces economic support for would-be parents, which reduces birthrates, which reduces growth …”
What is said of China can easily be said for North America and Europe. Once again, it is this particular demographic who is most effected by the current disease.
Speaking of demographics, a phrase has spread through the population—essential and non-essential workers. So in essence there are essential populations, and non-essential populations in new normal terminology.
Disease does effect us.
I am reminded of an anecdote that someone once told me, and it effected me greatly. He said, “If you were to die your place of business could replace you inside of a month, maybe even in as brief as a few days. But your family and loved ones could never replace you for all time no matter how hard they tried. You could never replace any of them.
Now are good days to define what essential means to you, and how it manifests in your life. Does it manifest? Do you feel the love emanating from your partner? Heard the laughter of your children lately? Does a deep longing within remain unfulfilled? Do you know the embrace of your own soul? Were you providing the light needed for a seed to grow?
Principle Vitality 