The whole world is going through turmoil, and a pandemic in the form of COVID-19 seems to be adamant on its spread. This is an unprecedented global tragedy whose horrifying semblance can’t be compared even with the past two world wars. Most of the countries, including India, have announced a lockdown for different periods to prevent this contagion.
Corona’s spread is mostly attributed to rampant globalization and advanced connectivity, which made the virus travel from Wuhan to the rest of the world. But, here, I would like to explain the role of technology that has made such lockdowns possible. I have tried to imagine how social distancing would have been impossible without technology. Let’s see how.
Online Education
Being a teacher, I can say that virtual classrooms have helped to prevent disruption in the academic discourse of educational institutions up to a great extent.
Though schools are closed, exams have been postponed, and students have left college hostels, still, the fervour of education and its importance has not died.
Students are studying at home through technology with the best teachers across the world. Some schools are holding online classes. IIT Roorkee has decided to continue academics using online classrooms. Some exams are going to be held virtually. Even some Edutech companies are providing free online classes. However, as usual, students in rural areas are being deprived of this benefit due to weak internet connectivity.
Payment Systems And Financial Services
I could not have imagined that India’s payment and settlement system and banking services would be intact amid such a strict lockdown period. Today, digital financial services have reduced the use of cash. Imagine, if it were not so, notes, which come in contact with thousands of hands daily, would have been another mode of infection. Either people would stand in long queues outside the bank for cash withdrawal or face cash scarcity due to fear of getting infected, which could create panic in the market.
But, today, one can quickly pay for essentials digitally at any shop without touching hands. Online grocery shopping is also in trend right now with the government’s help. It has reduced the chances of infection manifold.
Fund Mobilisation
Governments require funds to tackle such a crisis. Of course, door to door collection is not possible with such strict social distancing norms. But, the PM CARES fund is getting hassle-free help from citizens only due to technology. Technology again has made this process smoother and facilitated adequate resources at disposal. Other than this, direct benefit transfer(DBT) is also facilitating quick disbursement of social security to the downtrodden section of society to prevent hunger and sustain demand in the economy.
Information Dissemination
Communication crisis would have been the greatest danger in combating the corona pandemic. It requires aggressive campaigning in minimum time regarding precautions to avert disease, as we have not found any effective cure yet. We are getting information and current affairs about the global status of the illness through technology only. Television, social media, etc. are used for WHO and governments to make information reach every corner of the world in a few seconds.
World leaders are holding video conferences to tackle this pandemic collectively. The world is still connected despite social distancing. We are still able to talk to our loved ones anytime and taking care of them. Otherwise, many would not even know today that this virus exists.
Delhi police are tracking the phones of people under quarantine to prevent its spread. Imagine the level of isolation and panic which would have occurred if there were no virtual connection amongst all of us. However, one should not forget the fake news catastrophe as its drawback.
Economy Survival
This pandemic has severely disrupted the economy worldwide. Shutting of businesses and job losses are a reality. But, I would say that the picture would have been more worrisome without technology. Still, many organizations are working from home through advanced communication and continuing businesses. Technology has helped in sustaining the economy in whichever way it could. However, sectors like manufacturing and construction are some outliers for this.
I may have missed many other arguments like these. We need to imagine the present scenario without technology, and then we will be able to appreciate the fact that it is playing an immense role in making this lockdown meaningful.