Covid-19: “National Solidarity Alone Can’t Solve The Pandemic”

Cases of the novel COVID-19 are increasing day by day. Yes, national unity, solidarity and bringing people together to fight COVID-19 is a pressing priority. However, we need to get realistic and practical with our approach to solving the pandemic.

Here is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent address to the citizens of India :

Keeping in mind the recent Tablighi Jamaat incident, it is necessary for people to think about the country and not indulge in any practices that further increase the number of corona cases of in the country. It is necessary to unite the masses and make them aware of the outbreak of the virus. However, as a concerned citizen, I am deeply disappointed by our country’s recent approach. Yes, the feeling of oneness and unity has helped us gain independence from the British monopoly. But the same technique is not the solution for flattening the curve of a virus.

How Does This Have Any Relevance?

Most countries, such as the United States, Spain, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom, which are one of the epicenters of COVID-19, had an initial curve similar to the present curve of India.  The J-shape curve represents exponential growth, and what further alarms the lives of more than 1.3 billion people is the increase in the number due to ineffective administration and lack of proper implementation of supporting measures. If we continue to take measures that are unrealistic and wild-eyed, we will soon become the epicenter of COVID-19.

What Is The Right Way To Solve This Pandemic?

• District Wise Food Approach Method

The government needs to provide food and basic necessities to people below the poverty line. The amenities should be provided district wise to avoid large gatherings. This task should be undertaken by all State governments. For instance, in Haryana, the government should provide basic resources according to districts that have a large population and do not have any regular source of income.

If we continue to allow people to go to shops in the name of purchasing food items, the practice of social distancing will fail. The number of people on the streets has increased in the Mohali region of Delhi. The government needs to adopt a scheme similar to the odd-even scheme by restricting people to purchase food on certain days and distribute grains district-wise, to avoid large gatherings.

• Reducing Consumption

Since the announcement of the 21-day lockdown, the rich households have stocked their houses with large quantities of food; to be precise, luxury food items. Their consumption has increased exponentially. Most of the affluent households have resorted to food items that are expensive and consumes a lot of ingredients. The demand for items has increased but their supply is decreasing. There is a need for affluent households to save their disposable income and consume simple food and ready-to-eat items in order to avoid food shortage.

There is a large population that is still dependent on gas cylinders for cooking food. The quarantine has increased the dependence of fuel, and thus, more cylinders need to be provided. Reducing consumption for 2-3 weeks or a month will not harm us. Sometimes, it is necessary for us to think about the future. Our sacrifices will help us avoid a shortage of food.

Public transport and government buildings can be used in case of shortage of hospitals to isolate those who are tested positive.

In China, two widely used mobile phone apps, AliPay and WeChat have helped enforce restrictions, as they allowed the government to keep a track of people’s movement. The police was even able to locate and stop people with confirmed infection from traveling. The government should put posters of preventive measures and symptoms of the coronavirus on streets for in order to increase awareness amongst people who do not have access to the internet.

This pandemic requires better awareness. Awareness that is quick and reachable. We need to follow the rules and regulations of the government and practice social distancing. There’s nothing to panic about. our individual contributions and sacrifices will help us fight against this pandemic.

Featured image is representative. Picture credit: Twitter/Z Khan