Wish a superhero would show up and fix this already... |
Neither of these things seem to be happening as the world
does battle with the Coronavirus and leaders of countries and states find
themselves saddled with the task of dealing with an unprecedented crisis. There
is sweeping condemnation for nearly all of them, no matter what they do or don’t.
And I can’t help but be concerned about the fate of this nation and the world
at large, which currently rests in the hands of those who haven’t given us much
reason to trust or respect them.
All of us are running scared right now. The uncertainty
and paucity of information is hard to take. The social and economic
consequences of this complete shutdown of normal life is going to be long –
lasting and possibly cause a lot more havoc than the virus itself. The initial
data suggests that among those who have tested positive for Covid – 19 in the
general population, the symptoms are mild and don’t require hospitalization. The
more serious cases requiring intensive care, have mainly been seen among those
above the age of sixty and higher. The fatalities have mostly been limited to
the elderly and those suffering from chronic illness or compromised immune
systems. Which is not to say the younger populace, under 30 years of age has
remained unaffected or free from fatality. No doubt, the statistics will keep
shifting and it will be months before a clearer picture emerges.
In the meantime, nearly all our resources are being
expended on a confused, sporadic effort to contain the virus and flatten the
curve without much thought being given to the efficacy of this approach or the
collateral damage that is already taking a toll on the populace. The lockdown
has crippled the entire workforce forcing thousands into an impoverished state
left with no means to take care of themselves or their families. Forget access
to a health care system that is certainly on the verge of being overwhelmed,
many have been left without clean water, food, or a roof over their heads. How
long can this pitiable state be allowed to continue? Even if this were to blow
over, unemployment will be at an all-time high and small businesses may not
recover. And let us not even begin to discuss the state of public morale after
the staggering costs exacted by this catastrophe.
Hospitals have shut their outpatient departments and
are focusing solely on this pandemic on government orders at the expense of
those afflicted with far more life – threatening disorders and conditions since
all surgeries and medical procedures barring emergencies have been deferred
indefinitely. The plight of those diagnosed with cancer, HIV, renal failure and
other diseases or disorders is worrisome as cops prowling the roads use any and
all means to ensure that people do not leave their homes. Surely it is
unconscionable to leave the sick and diseased not afflicted with Covid – 19 to
get by as best as they can? What is the point of keeping some safe from Corona
while leaving others to die or have irreparable damage done to their health by
allowing serious ailments to go untreated?
The gnawing questions persist even as they send our
anxiety soaring into the stratosphere. When will it be safe for us to leave our
homes and return en masse to the workplace? Will schools be reopened soon? When
will we identify the best treatment methods to beat this thing? How much time
will it take to develop a vaccine? What about the costs we are inadvertently
incurring both inside and outside the financial sphere? There are no answers
available at present and I don’t think they will be forthcoming anytime soon.
All we can do is hunker down and keep our fingers as well as toes crossed as we
wait interminably for this thing to blow over, hopefully sooner rather than
later.
As for the fight against Corona, it cannot be
allowed to cause even more devastation than the virus is likely to cause. Therefore,
it is to be hoped that our leaders, whatever their failures in the past may have
been will redeem themselves by figuring out the best way to fight the virus and
save those who are infected but not by putting the future of everyone else at
risk. What we need are unlikely heroes, who will rise to the occasion and do battle
with the forces of disease and despair, and deliver us safe and sound into a
better future.
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