The coronavirus pandemic has altered all facets of life. Its health, economic and social impact has shaken all aspects of the day to day. Also in an institution like the Casa del Rey. Felipe VI and Doña Letizia have maintained an intense agenda, with daily telematic meetings with all sectors of society, and also with visits to key centers in the fight against Covid-19. But this Monday, the Kings have starred in their first official 'normal' act: they have presided over the presentation of the COTEC 2020 Report.

A quote, which despite being the first framed outside the pandemic as such, has been clearly marked by it. An empty auditorium at the Telefónica headquarters as a reminder of the situation that Spain is going through. A coverage of the same and an intervention of the speakers by electronic means. And a few words from Felipe VI, who was physically present, as a sign of the complicated present and future that awaits the country: "The economic situation we are going through is very complex and uncertain, and without a healthy economy it is difficult to move forward."

In the multiple videoconferences and meetings that the King has starred, he has been able to feel the country's situation and future prospects. The impact of the epidemic is weakening the image of Spain and predicts economic consequences and loss of capacity for external influence. Thus he has had the opportunity to discuss it in these months with businessmen and representatives of the economic sector.

"Wealth by itself does not guarantee social progress, understood as the solidarity and inclusive advancement of all citizens", reflected Felipe VI, emphasizing that "economic indicators often do not sufficiently explain everything that matters to us and that dignifies us. "

In the interventions that he has carried out throughout this crisis, the King has sought to convey a positive message of hope - "We are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel" -, but without skimping on the harshness of reality.

This Monday, at the event of the Cotec Foundation, of which the King is president of honor, neither: "We all have great desire that this whole situation of tremendous damage in almost all orders that the virus is producing and our fight for breaking it is over soon and we are able to overcome it, to face recovery with courage, hope and serenity. "

Felipe VI knows of the economic and reputational damage and of the economic and social setback that the Covid-19 is signifying. "We have lost many people, many have suffered or suffer especially; and we have also lost much of what has been achieved in years."

"We live in that complexity; a continuous world, with fuzzy borders in many areas, in which even the simplest organism - just a handful of genes is capable of unleashing catastrophic effects that put civilization itself in check. We were forgetting that 'butterfly effect' that we have heard so much about, but have had to remember in a particularly harsh way, "was his reflection.

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  • Philip VI
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