Can you imagine your lives been completely changed because of a small virus

you can’t even see?

No wonder the world has come to a standstill because of this newly emerged pandemic,
COVID19. The WHO termed covid19 as an “enemy of humanity” in a press conference
conducted on 19th March. This virus has become a challenge for India, which is home
to nearly 17.7% population of the world. Considering the population size and the density
(464 per km2) of India, the outbreak of Covid19, if not controlled, can lead to major
fatalities. And you would not want to face it without being aware of all that is going
around. So here we have everything pooled in for you... ​All you need to know about
Covid19!!

India and the world

A total of 198 countries and territories are affected by covid19 by this time. China, being
the epicentre of this pandemic has about 81,394 cases whereas the United States has
reported the highest number of cases as of 28 March taking the number of COVID-19
affected people to more than 100,000. In such a dire situation the International
community has called for solidarity. Pledging for the same, let’s have a quick look at the
major teachings various countries offer.

Major takeaways from stories around

South Korea is one of the badly hit countries with 9478 cases and 144 deaths by 28
march. However, the efficient testing system in South Korea which has conducted by far
357,896 tests (which is 1 out of every 147 South Koreans), is worth learning from.
These tests are instrumental in helping South Korea track and decontaminate more and
more patients leading to flattening the curve of Covid19.

In Singapore which has seen nearly 732 cases and 2 deaths by 28 march, the kind of
hospital management is worth learning from. It’s an essential feature being the
PHPCs(Public Health Preparedness Clinics) which provide primary care in cases of
emergencies. These PHPCs check patients and keep them from crowding at hospitals
unnecessarily. It has been vital in reducing the pressures on health care officials at
hospitals because they wouldn’t have to check patients who do not suffer from Covid19
but are here as a result of fear or panic. Singapore has employed such strategies from
its previous experience with SARS.

Japan might be criticized by international media for conducting lesser tests than
required but it can’t be denied that Japan definitely has some lessons for us. Because of
the previous experience of SARS in 2002-03, Japan had developed a mask-wearing
culture. That means though the people might have been affected by the virus, it’s
transmission by small droplets has been curbed due to the precautions and sanitizing
practices there. All of us can definitely take this dose of hygiene and self-care.

China who had put the Hubei province under lockdown for nearly 3 months has now
finally lifted the lockdown. This attempt by China was one of its kind where
contamination on such a large scale had happened. China has managed to limit the
local transmission.

Major takeaways from India

India has attempted a nationwide lockdown which is definitely a huge step especially
with this size of the population. Other than essential services all other places are shut.
India on Saturday has reported a total of 944 active cases with the death toll being 20.
This definitely is the initial period of India and no doubt it still has a lot to achieve.

However, what one can learn from India is the quick response and decision making on
the part of the central and the state governments in the country who informed citizens to
keep away from mass gatherings and unnecessary travels to the affected areas. The
Universal Health Screening of all the incoming international passengers was also
helpful in limiting the transmission.
The cooperation most citizens are showing is the key. Lockdown involves major curbs
on various freedoms and citizens are willing to put the community welfare above
individual welfare which is praiseworthy. There are willing defaulters though who are
worsening the situation for the society as a whole.

For live statistics:​https://www.worldometers.in​ / C

​ OVID-19 Tracker | India

The Economic Situation of India

In the purview of an unprecedented global health crisis, the future of the Indian, as well
as the world economy, looks increasingly uncertain. The early estimates suggest that
the global economy will contract by 1% this year. To put this in perspective, the last time
the global economy contracted was in the 2008-09 global financial crisis with almost the
same magnitude. It is also estimated that the Indian economy which was already under
crisis will have to face a major slowdown. According to Dun and Bradstreet's economic
forecast, the probability of countries entering into recession and companies going
bankrupt has increased and India is not likely to remain unaffected from the global
meltdown.

Impact on the Indian economy

With the onset of an all-important 3 weeks countrywide lockdown, the approximate 200
lakh crore national economy has been brought to a shuddering standstill. Given this
lockdown, India's growth rate for FY20 is expected to change and the estimation of the
growth of FY21 remains quite uncertain.

This shutdown will have a devastating impact on millions of daily wage earners, the
self-employed, small businesses and the rural landless poor as can easily be inferred
from the state of migrant workers who are forced to walk till their home. These
segments of people also face the distress of lack of income and hunger.
With the withdrawal of the public transport services and further restrictions on the
movements, the coronavirus has largely disrupted the demand and supply of goods and
services across the country. Reduction in consumption has led to an overall reduction in
demand and considering the supply side impact, the closure of several industries and
delay in supply of essential goods from China is having a stark impact on the
manufacturing sector in India.

Also, it is quite evident that the Tourism, Transport and health infrastructures are among
the worst hit. Businesses are also facing reduced cash flows as a result of a dip in
economic activities. A sharp fall in the crude oil prices and of other commodities is also
visible and job losses and salary cuts seem quite certain in the high-risk service sector.

A look at the policy interventions

The Indian government will have to strive hard in order to contain the spread of this
highly contagious virus as quickly as possible given its widespread impact which has
not left the economy of the country apart.

On Thursday, the central government came up with the ​Pradhanmantri Garib Kalyan
Yojana ​under which the finance minister announced a package of ₹1.70 lakh crore for
the poor and vulnerable sections to fight the battle against coronavirus. The major
provisions under this scheme include:
● Insurance cover of ₹50 lakh per worker to be provided under the insurance
scheme.
● For the next three months, about two-thirds of India's poor population to be
provided with 5kg of rice or wheat and 1kg of preferred pulses for free. This, with
proper implementation, will address the hunger issues of these sections.
● To ensure income support for some of the worst-hit sections, 20 crore women
Jan Dhan account holders will get ₹500 per month for the next three months.
 MNREGA wages will be increased to ₹202 a day from ₹182 which will benefit
13.62 crore families.
● Under this scheme, benefits are also provided to Senior citizens, poor widows,
poor disabled, farmers and construction workers.

The government has also made an allocation of ₹15,000 crores for the development of
public health infrastructure targeted for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. On Friday,
RBI announced a massive reduction in repo rate bringing the interest rates from 75
basis points by 4.4% to help the liquidity conditions in the economy and to revamp the
stock market. This thus indicates that the Indian government and several institutions in
the country are collectively trying to tackle this situation on a war front.

Systematic coordination is expected between several global economies and between

the centre and state governments. The G-20 summit held on Thursday as well as the
participation of India in WHO's solidarity trial for collectively identifying potential cures
for the COVID-19 outbreak has definitely paved a way for this kind of global
cooperation. But it needs to be pushed to a global level to come up with a common
understanding amongst all the countries for a wider co-operation in such times.

At this stage, what is most significant is the proper implementation and widespread
outreach of all the policies introduced. At the end what is more crucial is the end of this
health crisis as soon as possible with the help of stricter implementation of lockdown
measures, increase in the number of testings done in order to save the COVID-neutral
people from being infected and avoiding the major long term economic consequences.

Indian society

Work from home

With a complete lockdown, there has come a major lifestyle change in many lives. The
workers in IT companies, Consultancies and all other kinds where work from home is
possible. This work from home is quite new for many employees and this can lead to
stress, anxiety and reduced work productivity. Some companies like Microsoft are
roping in Psychologists to provide online counselling to the affected. These measures
are quite necessary and need to be adopted on a larger scale.

Essential services
Even in the lockdown, essential services are kept open. Food supply, banks and ATMs,
petrol pumps, LPG outlets will continue to work. The e-commerce of all essential goods,
telecom services will also continue.

The most essential being health care services, all the required precautions are taken by
hospitals and pharmaceuticals. However, there have been instances where health care
staff are not allowed in their own areas due to fear of transmission. An increased
cooperation and understanding is highly needed at this time.

Police
To maintain the lockdown police forces are deployed in all the areas. People are
regularly told not to step out of homes unnecessarily. For the people who are not
following the orders, police forces are required to take actions. However, this has also
led to instances of police brutality where people are unnecessarily humiliated and
punished.

On the other hand, the increased pressure on the police force is worsened by people
attacking police officers who are genuinely following their duties. Cooperation between
police forces and citizens is most needed at this time. It ought to be ensured that neither
of them abuses other’s rights.
Migrant labourers
Amidst lockdown, the Migrant labourers are facing major problems. With no transport
available other than for essential goods, migrant labourers are left with no choice but to
walk miles back to their homes. With no money and no food, these labourers are facing
worsened hardships. It is needed that the state and union governments come together
to either make arrangements for their safe stay wherever they are stuck or channelise
their transport back to their homes with apt safety.
We need to talk about...
There are some groups which are completely left out of this and their safety is equally
important. These groups are refugees. The UNHCR is coming in contact with various
states to take the necessary measures for the refugees. Various old-age homes,
orphanages are also equally vulnerable to the danger of COVID’19. Necessary
measures in these places are very important in this crucial time.

Our contribution as a citizen

Let's finally talk about what we can do as a citizen. First of all we have to remember that
there can’t be any change without citizens’ participation. If the government continues to
work, the health care workforce continues to provide their services and we as citizens
do not understand the dire situation, all will fail.

It is of utmost importance that we adhere to the restrictions the government has

imposed. Rather than seeing these as restrictions put by the government if we think of it
as self-restriction, it would be a win-win for all. These days can be used wisely for our
own benefit. Be ready for what you were planning for months but could not invest in
that. Be prepared with plans to roll on so that immediately after the lockdown gets over,
you can contribute more towards the economy as well as the society.

We should also ensure that no misinformation creeps into the society and that all are
well-informed. Let’s fight this for us, for our beloved and this beautiful world.