Effets Secondaires [English translation]

Side Effects – Grand Corps Malade

In this time of confinement, we took a little break

far from the insane rush and opened our eyes

to really see these troubled times - sometimes that feels good

to get back to thinking again, even if it's not by choice.

So between the children screaming and their homework,

between the masks and the gloves, between fear and anger,

seeing the leaders flipped out in their chaotic management

in this time of confinement, we ask ourselves some questions.

And so now?

What if this virus had many other virtues

than attacking our vulnerable lungs?

What if it was also trying to show us

that our lifestyles have become harmful?

If we have to save our lives by staying at home

finally letting Mother Earth recover what we have taken from her,

we realize that Mother Nature rules and is taking back her rights,

taking revenge on our arrogance and contempt.

And is it a coincidence that this terrible virus

does not attack the youngest people, does not harm children?

It attacks adults who are responsible for this world.

It is condemning our mistakes and sparing the innocent.

The world of adults is out of control.

The established order shattered into pieces.

Earthlings are reminded they are human and fragile

and maybe they feel it is time to finally sort things out.

And what if this virus had many other powers,

other than to attack our respiratory systems?

What if it was also trying to awaken our memories

of values forgotten because of our ambitions?

We find out that we are suddenly similar, in solidarity,

all in the same boat fighting the virus.

It was much less the case in the fight against poverty,

we were less united to welcome the migrants from the Aquarius boat in the Mediterranean.

What if this virus had the enormous gift

of reminding us of what is really essential in life?

Travelling, going out, money are no longer relevant

and from our windows we learn to look at the sky again.

We have time for family, we slow down our work.

And even with the outside, we reinforce our ties.

We reinvent our rituals, full of ideas, full of discoveries.

And every day we check in on our elders.

And what if this virus showed us who the real heroes are?

Those already breaking their backs working in the back of our minds.

Only now they make the headlines in the papers

because the stock market is in quarantine.

Long before Corona, our hospitals were suffocating,

coughing misery and saturation.

Our leaders discover there is cause for concern

now that people are lining up for intensive care.

We suddenly recognize those who really help us in life

when the State has suffocated all of our public services.

Those who clean the streets, who transport and deliver -

We rediscover the invisible of the Republic.

And so now?

So when this virus leaves as it came,

what will be left are its side effects.

What will we have gained with all that we have lost?

Will our dead have had a worthwhile fate?

And so now…?

And so now…?

And so now…?

And so now…?

• Artist:Grand Corps Malade