It's been four months since the world has been reeling under the chaos created by the novel coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China....
It's been four months since the world has been reeling under the chaos created by the novel coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China. And we are witnessing the deadly battle between the tiniest of micro-organisms and yet the smartest creatures of this world; human-beings. So to proceed safely, most of the countries around the globe have enforced lockdown. Some include total movement control, while others have implemented restrictions based on time.
But are lockdowns the permanent solution? Well, not.
The common misunderstanding among people is that lockdown can help eliminate the virus. However, lockdown can only buy time for the sake of vaccine and medical systems buildups and prevent the rapid spread of the virus from not going above the local healthcare capacity. This pandemic has resulted in the most significant number of shutdowns worldwide at the same time in history. This will undoubtedly lead to some devastating aftermaths. Disasters are tragedies, let it be the earthquakes or pandemics like this, yet people are likely to learn from such disasters. It is well known that people usually underestimate the risk levels, with resulting under preparation that leaves them even more exposed to future failure. But people now really seem to be more cautious and aware, and they have been responding and acting wisely and are trying their best to follow the ground rules. Those people who frequently used to go out into the city and mingle with the general public are no longer doing so. And most of the people are cutting off the junks, doing workouts from home, sanitizing themselves, which eventually will lead them to have a healthier and safer lifestyle. Secondly, the desire for safer and more private surroundings may pull some people towards rural areas. Their priorities have now become to save lives, maintain law and order. Cities are more likely to lose part of their public social life. There will be less eating out. Hair salons and beauty parlours will not be in demand for quite some time. Parents will not risk their children sending schools unless good practices of social distancing and hygiene are maintained. Transportation will have to be more private for reasons of social distancing. The way people work will be changed; working from home will be an option. The air will be much cleaner, the environment less polluted and the world will be the better place to live on. We will have the vision to transform and bring about the safer, more accessible, and more resilient life we have needed all along.
In contrast, this pandemic outbreak is making our country economically crippled. There is uncertainty about what the economic landscape will look like after we emerge from this lockdown. And no doubt the world's economy will also experience the worst recession. Those countries which were reliant on tourism, travel are particularly facing massive disruptions. Hotels, airlines, and cruise operators are just a few of the hardest-hit travel industries that suffer the most immediate repercussions, mainly when the outbreak occurs during one of the busiest travel seasons. It could get worse depending on many variable factors, including the duration of the pandemic.
In contrast, this pandemic outbreak is making our country economically crippled. There is uncertainty about what the economic landscape will look like after we emerge from this lockdown. And no doubt the world's economy will also experience the worst recession. Those countries which were reliant on tourism, travel are particularly facing massive disruptions. Hotels, airlines, and cruise operators are just a few of the hardest-hit travel industries that suffer the most immediate repercussions, mainly when the outbreak occurs during one of the busiest travel seasons. It could get worse depending on many variable factors, including the duration of the pandemic.
Furthermore, our government cannot adequately provide for its citizens even in regular times, let alone during a global emergency. Poorer people here are at a larger risk of catching the virus and are more likely to suffer the worst effects. WHO has recommended physical distancing to control the spread of the virus, but in places where families share a single room and lack running water to wash their hands, these methods are impossible to adopt. Also, many people have no access to life-saving medical facilities. And one after another, the effects will lead people to die because of hunger as the transport and distribution system is severely disrupted, and the food supply in many parts has become scarce.
In a nutshell, let us all be optimistic and take our chance to rebuild back in a more substantial way than ever. There are some helpful signs that this crisis will end soon. In the meantime, countries are somehow succeeding in winning over viruses, at least for now, and treatments and vaccines may develop sooner than expected. The courageous actions of doctors and nurses are praiseworthy and remarkable. I believe that NOW is the time to turn I into ''WE'' in the minds, in the expressions, and even more so in the behaviour. Because fighting corona is a team sport and we will surely get through this together.
Samikshya Poudel
B.Pharm, 3rd Semester
SHAS, Pokhara University
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