Back around 2006 when the FluWiki Forum was operating, the discussions about pandemic planning often were wide ranging. Often very somber, for good reason.....we were discussing how to prepare for a severe influenza pandemic, potentially as bad as the 1918 Flu. Sometimes lighthearted,.....you cannot dwell on the dark and grim for long or it will remove all joy from your life. But for the most part we were there to discuss how a pandemic could play out and how to prepare. As the pandemic of today has progressed it has at times "followed the script" of how we thought it might go. And at other times it has thrown a curve ball and been a big surprise. Actually, it has done that quite a bit. So, I guess one of the things one should plan for is for a pandemic not to go as planned.
During one of our discussions the topic of music came up. I do not remember what prompted it. But as I remember it the question came up of what would be an appropriate pandemic song. Yeah, I understand your thought right now "What?! A pandemic song! That's nuts!". Well, in retrospect I have to agree a little bit. But it probably came about during one of the dark humor discussions I mention up above. I think a number of suggestions were made. I do not remember any of them. I do remember the one I suggested. It is Simon and Garfunkel's "Sound of Silence".
I have thought of this song off and on almost from the time this pandemic was recognized as a pandemic. As Wuhan, China was put on lockdown, I thought of this song. As the shutdowns occurred, I thought of this song. As the streets in the world's largest cities became empty and silent,....this song. It is on my mind now, as I consider the terrible pandemic waves in progress in India and Brazil and in so many other locations.
Music has always been a bit of a salve for me when feeling stressed. Recently I have taken to listening to street buskers on YouTube. They often put a smile on my face and help make me feel better, even though they performed their recorded song several years ago. I appreciate them giving their music to the public, and enjoy the public's response in the videos. As with so many people around the world, musicians have struggled to make a living during this pandemic. It is hard to make a living when you cannot give a concert or play a gig. Quite a few musicians have recorded songs and videos and posted them on the internet during the pandemic. I appreciate them providing their music to the public. I have gained some joy and relief from their gift.
So....pandemic songs. I am going to leave the interpretation of this to each individual. Do with this thread as you see fit, conforming to the guidelines of what is acceptable here on FluTrackers. This is thread is not at all about making light of the pandemic. Rather it is about finding calm in the middle of the storm, in the form of music.
For my part, I am going to post a link to Simon and Garfunkels "Sound of Silence" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fWyzwo1xg0
And a link to Disturbed's magnificent cover of "Sound of Silence" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Dg-g7t2l4
During one of our discussions the topic of music came up. I do not remember what prompted it. But as I remember it the question came up of what would be an appropriate pandemic song. Yeah, I understand your thought right now "What?! A pandemic song! That's nuts!". Well, in retrospect I have to agree a little bit. But it probably came about during one of the dark humor discussions I mention up above. I think a number of suggestions were made. I do not remember any of them. I do remember the one I suggested. It is Simon and Garfunkel's "Sound of Silence".
I have thought of this song off and on almost from the time this pandemic was recognized as a pandemic. As Wuhan, China was put on lockdown, I thought of this song. As the shutdowns occurred, I thought of this song. As the streets in the world's largest cities became empty and silent,....this song. It is on my mind now, as I consider the terrible pandemic waves in progress in India and Brazil and in so many other locations.
Music has always been a bit of a salve for me when feeling stressed. Recently I have taken to listening to street buskers on YouTube. They often put a smile on my face and help make me feel better, even though they performed their recorded song several years ago. I appreciate them giving their music to the public, and enjoy the public's response in the videos. As with so many people around the world, musicians have struggled to make a living during this pandemic. It is hard to make a living when you cannot give a concert or play a gig. Quite a few musicians have recorded songs and videos and posted them on the internet during the pandemic. I appreciate them providing their music to the public. I have gained some joy and relief from their gift.
So....pandemic songs. I am going to leave the interpretation of this to each individual. Do with this thread as you see fit, conforming to the guidelines of what is acceptable here on FluTrackers. This is thread is not at all about making light of the pandemic. Rather it is about finding calm in the middle of the storm, in the form of music.
For my part, I am going to post a link to Simon and Garfunkels "Sound of Silence" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fWyzwo1xg0
And a link to Disturbed's magnificent cover of "Sound of Silence" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Dg-g7t2l4
