Dynamics of COVID-19 & Lessons to be Learned | By Parnika Rai

Whilst battling an ongoing pandemic, learning the lessons it has to offer is as important a parameter as is tackling the predicament. Coronavirus is an extremely relevant topic in today’s contemporary era. The news is ripe with the acceleration of cases at a rampant pace, across the globe. The Dynamics of the pandemic has been intriguing and overcoming this gruesome storm is the prima facie goal of the government and the citizens.

However, before delving deep into the topic it is imperative to gain background. What is Coronavirus? Where did it originate from? What has its trend been globally and nationally?

Coronavirus is a family of viruses that causes respiratory illness in any living organism. The recent disease caused by this virus is Covid-19, the carrier of which is SARS-Cov-2. Many theories of its origin have been propounded worldwide, however, the most accepted is the one which says where the virus is said to be originated in the Wuhan Seafood Market. The first case is said to be reported on 17th November, 2019 being first recorded in December. Whatever the place or the date of origin, the pandemic has created havoc across the globe with approximately 61,59,953 number of cases and a death toll of 3,71,006, till date.  More than 188 countries and territories have been affected.

COVID-19 and INDIA

The first case in India was recorded on 30th January in the state of Kerala. The number gradually rose to fifty in a span of forty-one days, however, as on 31st May, the number of cases is 1,82,143 with a death toll of 5,164. This articulately authenticates that India initiated with slow progress culminating into an aggressive state even after the implementation of lockdown. As the status-quo suggests, there is very little a country can do to prevent the spread of this invisible pandemic. A lockdown may only delay several cases for a while. Will it be able to curb them in totality? Is there something India needs to learn from this?

LOCKDOWN: The only solution?

The pandemic demands social distancing, thus was lockdown the only solution? So, it seems. However, as Vrinda Grover, a feminist lawyer says, “Government has shown no care towards the vulnerable sections of the society while implementing the lockdown” boils down to the need of a planned lockdown instead of an unplanned complete shutdown. Harmoniously planned lockdown would have given the citizens, specifically, the downtrodden sections of the society to plan in well advance, thus mitigating the disastrous socio-economic challenges faced by them.

LESSON TO BE LEARNED

When analyzed from a social perspective, the lockdown has adversely affected the downtrodden sections of the society egregiously. Workers solely dependent on daily wages for their livelihood have been shooed down to shacks because of being rendered unemployed. This has negatively influenced the mental state giving rise to the number of depression cases. Domestic violence, crime, looting, and violent protests have been reported in various parts of the nation. Yet, there is always a silver lining to the dark cloud. Such incidents have largely been reported from the badly anguished and poverty-ridden communities in our nation.

Image Credit- thehindu.com

It would not be wrong to suggest that the eminent celebrities of India, whether from the film, sports or for that matter, any other industry having assets more than INR 300 cr. should be designated by GOI as “Individual Corporates” and should contribute to the Corporate Social Responsibility at this hour of crisis to re-build the nation. This may bridge the gap between the privileged and the vulnerable thus aiding the country on its socio-economic facet.

Economically too, the country is being negatively impacted. According to economists polled by Reuters, gross domestic product for the January to March quarter is expected to have grown at 2.1% from a year ago, marking the weakest growth since comparable records began in early 2012, portraying that GDP rates would slip further widening the fiscal deficit leading to a decline in the value of the Indian Currency. Being Asia’s third-largest economy, what can the country possibly do?

Since times immemorial, India has been an agrarian economy basing a major portion of its National Income on the primary sector inclusive of Agriculture, animal husbandry, poultry, dairy, minerals, and information technology.

Where the ongoing pandemic has done much worse to the economy, we should not ignore the re-emergence of the Village Economy. Under these conditions, the village economy has ameliorated and integrating our response towards strengthening it is the need of the hour. Especially, keeping in view the return of migrant workers and their willingness to vehemently focus on their villages for employment.

In this global tragedy, it is not only the economy or the population that is being affected but also the healthcare landscape on the frontline. Healthcare professionals are enduring extreme work conditions and sacrifices. Even after a paucity of self-protection-gear, they show up for the patients with a high risk to get infected. This is mentally taxing and is sure to lead a burnout post the pandemic. After this global pandemic ends, we might have to prepare ourselves for the toll it might have on the medical professionals nationally as well as across the globe. Equally important is to improve the entire healthcare infrastructure to deal with such calamities in a concerted manner.  The pandemic has pushed many people into trauma, therefore, it won’t be shocking if there is an upsurge of patients with Post Trauma Stress Disorders. The Healthcare sector needs to give attention to this, as well. Additionally, the protocols for drug/vaccine development need to be relooked and introspected by the world agencies for its rapid availability.

The need to introduce Artificial Intelligence in the medical field has been in perspective for a long time. The Pandemic has yet again reinforced the need for this idea. The algorithm is used to help in screening those potentially infected. On similar lines, many algorithms could be developed to assist the precise diagnosis and prognosis.

Another suggestive change might be a shift to the digitization of the healthcare system. If anything, the pandemic has made us realize the power of the virtual world. From online market places to online meeting setups to the creation of realistic virtual workplaces, there has been an all-pervasive change. A digitized healthcare system including a digital stethoscope, ECG monitors, and so forth. Reports can then be shared with doctors, this will ensure a doorstep medical assistance to a larger population.

A RAY OF LIGHT AT THE END OF THIS TUNNEL

This pandemic will end, unquestionably and inevitably. However, our destination is not merely to put an end to the pandemic. The need is to learn from this conundrum and formulate solutions that will be sustainable in the future. 

Foremost, the proper and timely assessment of the problem is important since its inception. It should then be followed by charting out the possible solution, correct projections, and proper implementation. Physical distancing, personal and public hygiene, sanitized working habits need to be imbibed. On the economic front, it gets imperative to reassess the strengths and weaknesses of the existing economic arena. Our country has the advantage of cheap labor, who are well skilled in various sectors that can re-build the rural economy, we should sharply focus on scientific and mechanized agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy technology, handicrafts, textile and leather to make them an exemplary world-class industry. Also, the thrust on minerals, mining, industrial manufacturing, and information technology needs to be rightly given. As is brightly said, “Sometimes painful things can teach us lessons that we did not think we needed to know.” We can bounce back from here and thrive very soon.

*The Author is a first-year B.A.LL.B student at Law School, Banaras Hindu University.

REFERENCES:

• https://thediplomat.com/2020/04/covid-19-strategy-the-japan-model/
• https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/coronavirus-in-india-tracking-country-s-first-50-covid-19-cases-what-numbers-tell-1654468-2020-03-12
• Mc.Kinsey and Company-Reopening India: Implications for economic activity and workers
• https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
• https://businessmirror.com.ph/
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• https://medicalfuturist.com/life-after-covid-19-what-will-change/