KV Network

Caronavirus, its impact and what lies ahead

Caronavirus, its impact and what lies ahead
Decrease Font Size Increase Font Size Text Size Print This Page

Let us welcome the future that is waiting for us. Let us sing the song of good change

Syed Mustafa Ahmad

A mysterious viral infection began to spread among people of Wuhan, a central city in China, a pneumonia like disease, in December last year. It was not immediately clear what was behind the outbreak.

Patients were quarantined and work began on identifying the origin of the disease. On January 7, the Chinese authorities established a novel Coronavirus (2019_nCoV), a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified a seafood market at Wuhan suspected to be at the centre of the epidemic. In the meantime, the Coronavirus spread from Wuhan to other Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai. Beyond China, the virus has spread as far as Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Germany, India, Pakistan, France, etc., almost all the world is in its grip. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause mild to moderate upper respiratory tract illnesses, like the common cold. But some coronaviruses such as MERS-CoV and SARS-CoVcan cause severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome(MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome(SERS), respectively. They are zoonotic. It means that they are transmitted between animals and people.

What are the symptoms?

The viruses can cause a mild to moderate upper respiratory tract illness, similar to a common cold. Other signs include fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe Acute respiratory Syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

How does it spread?
Coronaviruses can spread from human contact with animals. When it comes to human to human transmission of the viruses, often it happens when someone comes into contact with the infected person’s secretion. A cough, sneeze or handshake can spread the virus from the infected person to others. Transmission can also happen if you touch objects handled by the infected person and then go on touch your mouth, nose or eyes.

Chinese authorities are still not sure of the origin of the outbreak. It is unclear from which animal the 2019- nCoV transmitted to humans. The source may have been animals sold at the market. Officials confirmed that the new strain can also spread by person to person contact.

What needs to be done to prevent Covid-19 infection?

• Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

• Wash hands regularly.

• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough.

• Ensure that meat and eggs you eat are thoroughly cooked.

What are the treatments available?
There is no vaccine yet against the COVID 19. Experts say that are not any treatments as well and the infection can only be allowed to run its course. Doctors may prescribe a pain or fever medication to relieve symptoms and treat the health complication that may arise from the infection.

What is the impact of Covid-19?
Economic loss: One of the devastating impacts of the COVID 19 is on economy. Our world economy in general and Indian economy in particular have gone through drastic changes. The COVID 19 has resulted in unimaginable loss to the global economy and the loss of human lives has not been seen earlier in an era of global peace.

According to the Asian Development Bank, the loss to the global economy is about $2 to $4 trillion. The estimates by the Legal Firms put the global loss at $6.5 trillion. In the case of India, less than a quarter of India’s $ 2.8 trillion economy is working. It means that per day we lose Rs 32,000 crore rupees or $4.5 billion. One can easily estimate the loss. Since March 25 when the national lockdown came into effect, till now how much we do have lost in economy. The impact on a large proportion of the 40 million migrant labourers , those who work in construction, agriculture and other sectors has been especially heart wrenching. The setback to tourism can’t be compensated in the long run.

The Micro, Small and Medium industries, which contribute 30% to GDP are at loss. They are financially liquidated. They have no money to pay their employees. Agriculture sector is again in distress. It contributes about 16% to the GDP. Harvesting season has come. The stores are full. There is a lot of difficulty in harvesting the crops. So, there is another tale of destruction in the agricultural sector.

There is a lot to put forth about the overall condition of the Indian economy that was already in doldrums, before the advent of the COVID 19. No consumption means no economic growth. Manufacturing sector is not working at all. Service sector, which is the mainstay of the Indian economic growth, is all most defunct.

In short, we are facing the situation like that during the Great Depression in the 1930s. The recession is on. For the first time, the oil is sold at $5 per barrel. The foundations of the World economy are shakes a lot. An optimistic approach is the need of the hour. We are still clueless how far it will go. There will be shift in economics after this pandemic.

Psychological Impact
The fear associated with the COVID 19 and the nature of it, have made the situation psychologically worst. The world in general and India in particular, where the cases of depression, anxiety, stress, etc., are common, the COVID 19 came as a strong storm to shake the ready crumbled healthcare system.

The loss of lives, the economic loss, the social distancing, the isolation of the COVID 19 patients, the burial of the COVID 19 patients, the stigmas attached with it, the communalization of the COVID 19, the penalty of breaking the lockdown, the handling of the COVID 19 patients, the outdated mindset, which believe in rumours and fake news, etc., have given rise to number of neuropsychological problems.

Sleep is disturbed. All the members of the society are worried about jobs, careers, beloved ones, employees, land, schools, etc. Palpitations are common now. Everywhere there only is sine talk that is of the COVID 19. Everyday gets passed with the news rated to the COVID 19. The fear, associated with it, has made the brave to be the coward. Happiness has gone miles away. We are strangers in our houses. We fear in meeting our own family members, not to talk of neighbours. The continuous hand washing has made it another source of anxiety. Well, it is a good habit to use soap occasionally but the continuous use of soap has made it something necessary and God forbid, if missed by chance, can become a source of frustration. Lack of knowledge is adding salt to the injury. Many committed suicide due to the fear associated with it. We have become untouchables. We are caged in a liberal atmosphere.

This paradox has given ride to number of problems. The most common problem that is seen today is fear. Fear has made lives hellish. A lot of is to be done. Human will can do miracles. The achievements during these times from the pages of history can prove beneficial. Moreover, the poor are always are vulnerable. They should be cared by kind words or through money. Medicines should be available at arm’s length. Panic should be avoided. We will come winning.

What has the world done to control its spread?
LOCKDOWN: Given the nature of the COVID 19, it became necessary for the countries like Italy, Spain, Germany, India, etc., to go for lockdown. It is not a technical term as told by the health experts. It is some kind of a mandatory ban to remain at home. It also includes the closure of schools, business establishments, recreational places, etc.

It is understood according to the geographical area and the degree of the spread of the COVID 19. In case of India, after the Janta Curfew on the 22nd of March, the national lockdown came into effect. It was due to the reason that the WHO had declared it as the global pandemic, which had almost spread to the whole world. In order to stop the further transmission of the COVID 19, the first phase of the lockdown was for 21 days that is from 25th of March to 14th of April.

However, it came with its magnitude of problems. But the step taken at that time was wise. India lacks the modern healthcare system. Doctors are understaffed. Nurses are disproportionate to the patients. Infrastructure is outdated. Mindsets are of stone age. Superstitions are ruling the roost. Communalization is the order of the day. The mountains become of the molehills. Media has lost its dignity due to malicious tactics. Illiteracy is a curse here.

Moreover, the educated ignorant are wild. So, in this atmosphere, for the PM Narendra Modi, it became imperative to bring the wheel country to halt. He was sorry for the inconvenience but he was good in taking this decision in order to maintain social distancing. It is this social distancing that helps a lot in reducing the doubling of cases. In this regard, two countries took risk. Spain and Italy were late in lockdown. Social gatherings made the situation worst. We see with our eyes what the situation here is. Social distance is the only weapon for those nations, which have zero healthcare in particular and for the nations, which are remarkable in it, to avoid the social gatherings. Quarantine or social distancing or self isolation mean almost the same everything. A person with symptoms can be dangerous for a whole country. So, the necessary for lockdown can never be ignored at the present moment. There are no vaccines. It is difficult to have access to the world class health facility. The transport is off. The atmosphere is full of fear. The nature of the COVID is that its mortality rate is very low. Precautions can do miracles. Talking to your family members in this situation is icing on the cake.

So, the above-mentioned things make it clear that how much we should go for social distancing. However, it is seen nowadays that some people, who are emotionally immature, are trying to be the heroes. They break the lockdown and destroy the already fragile peace. It is not a good thing g to do. No religion allows you to die for nothing. God can be found in your body during these days.

What lies in store?
As said earlier, there is no vaccine. The wait can be long. Till that, we can do a lot of good things. Firstly, we should maintain social distance as told by the experts. Unnecessarily, we will not go out. We will follow the precautions as suggested by the health experts. We can teach it to our nears and fears by various means one the social media. We will try our best to help those who are already sick.

The patients with cardiovascular diseases are prone to die. We can at our individual level make them realise that it is dangerous for all of you to go outside or come into contact with those who are already infected. We won’t believe in rumours. The society at large can be advised to abhor rumours.

Rumours damage the peace of a society a d sometimes creates untoward situation. Fake news should be stopped. Those found guilty should be dealt strictly. The role of the government is very important in this regard. The doctors, nurses, volunteers, ASHA workers, etc., should be helped but not attacked. It is a shame that some miscreants attacked the front line workers. Many doctors list their lives in saving us. They care for us. We are so ignorant that we harm our caretakers.

I am contented that the Government of India has made it unlawful that attack on any front line worker will be punishable. Communalization should be avoided. We have seen a lot of bloodshed in the name of religion. We won’t more. The lynching of a member on the basis of religion during these times is a big crime. This should be stopped at the earliest. Children and the persons should not be kept isolated.

They need care. They get frightened. They should be soothed. They should be advised it is of no use to get panicked when the mortality rate of the COVID 19 is very slow. The chances of recovery of recovery are more than 90%. It is said that masks and the PPE suits are very helpful. We can help a bit in this regard. We ourselves will stitch masks and the PPE suits. If not, we can donate cloth or money for it according to the guidelines. Last but not the least, please avoid hoarding. It is a crime. Fake ration cards should be burnt. Those, who need ration, can get it due to many reasons. For the sake of humanity, give them opportunity to get the ration to live. The haves are seen in the front row a d the have-nots have to leave empty hands. Hunger doesn’t accept the lockdown. So be careful that no one goes hungry for sleeping.

Moreover, don’t show off. If you help anyone, don’t make it a public picture. It is a crime to make videos of any charity. We are human beings. We are sent to help our fellow beings in every situation. But some are taking undue advantage of it. May they avoid this practice! Let us pledge that we shall act as rational human beings. Let us pledge that no one takes law into their hands.

Let us pledge that we will overcome this. Let us walk hand in hand in defeating the COVID 19. Let us come out of the Disney world and live a practical life. Let us try to live as human beings. Let us welcome the future that is waiting for us. Let us sing the song of good change. Let us clean our mind, environment and go for the sustainable development.


KV Network

Kashmir Vision cover all daily updates for the newspaper

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *