Dr Sami Ullah
THE global health professionals, policy-makers, politicians and institutions are confused regarding the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected almost the entire world irrespective of gender, age, colour, geography, religion and the status of development. Almost all the economies are in the slow down phase which is further hitting the other pillars of development in the shape of food shortage, unemployment, budget deficit, reduction in worker remittances, economic recession, shortage of social safety nets for the vulnerable groups. To fight with COVID-19 is very critical at this stage but to arrange the basic needs and economic wellbeing is more severe than the pandemic in coming days. If people become economically vulnerable, this will be the more tough situation to manage, especially in the developing countries where they are already facing many crises in the shape of flood, earthquake, hunger, terrorism, conflict and political instability.
In most of the developed economies, they have very strong and efficient social security system for the economic protection of the poor and vulnerable groups of the society. They also have well-structured institutions and can easily manage the imbalances caused by such crises. On the other hand, majority of the developing countries have not yet established social safety networks and there is very inefficient system to protect the vulnerable segments. In this situation, people are working very hard for meeting their basic needs, education, health facilities and economic sustainability because the dependency ratio in Pakistan is very high where seven people depend on single one for meeting their desires. The country is also facing currency devaluation, budget and trade deficit, inflation, youth unemployment, high population growth and low quality of life facilities. In this situation, lock down is putting more devastating impact on the economic structure and state is not in the position to finance people, even for the short duration.
It is also important to share that aid is not effective for the wellbeing and sustainability of the poor families because aid is considered as a curse. Due to financial aid, individuals are not efficient in utilizing their potential and resources are under-utilized which further leads toward inefficiency. In developed economies, policy makers introduce attractive packages for the vulnerable people to include them in economic activities, instead of social safety networks. In the current situation, it is responsibility of the state to introduce some economical, efficient and effective policies which will further enhance the economic potential of the families along with support for the economy. For this purpose, in considering the current economic situation of Pakistan, State should introduce some economical, effective, easy and efficient tools to fight with COVID-19. Furthermore, electronic and print media, along with State institutions are very effective in educating the people regarding current state of COVID-19, safety measures and economic stability of the individuals.
There are many economical, efficient, easy and effective suggestions for the state which will not only enhance the economic conditions of the people but also helpful in fighting the COVID-19. According to recent data analysis of John Hopkins University, results are significantly supporting that the curve for cases of COVID-19 is flatter where people are regularly using face mask, whereas, the exponential growth in the cases is shown in the countries without mask usage policy. Secondly, in an independent health expert analysis, if COVID-19 confirmed patient and a non-patient are not using the mask, there is 74% chances to transfer the virus in non-patient. If anyone of them is using the mask then the probability of virus transfer reduces by 24% and if both are using the mask, there is only 4% chances to transfer the virus from patient to non-patient. There are many empirical evidences (Japan, Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong) available in support of mask usage outside home as a tool for fighting COVID-19.
As per the above discussion, face mask is considered as one of the most economical, efficient, easy to use and effective tool for fight with COVID-19 in case of Pakistan because we are unable to finance costly projects, even for the short term. Secondly, face mask is cheaper and everyone can easily afford it. Media can encourage the business community and philanthropists to ensure availability of mask on every shop, store, mosque, hospital, school, college, university, simply we have to ensure its availability and access everywhere for everyone. Thirdly, it may be the most efficient tool for COVID-19 fight, use of mask is the best alternate to stay on work, instead of lock down. Fourthly, it is very easy to use, replace, manage and carry. Mask is not only helpful in minimizing the impact of virus but also help in safe breath for the health of immune system. Lastly, it is the more effective tool and globally we have the evidence against in support of fight virus spread in an optimal manner.
Through social, electronic and print media, there is need to educate people on the proper use of face mask regularly and it can be the part of state policy in fight with COVID-19. Mask should be considered as compulsory for everyone and if anyone is not using the mask outside home, is declared as non-responsible individuals, even state can suggest some sort of penalty for the non-user of the mask. By introducing the “mask for all” policy, we can sustain the economy by initiating the economic activities. This will be the most economical, easy to implement, effective in terms of result orientation and efficient in economic wellbeing of the state along with the sustainability of the vulnerable groups in the society.
—The writer is Assistant Professor, University of Gujrat, Pakistan.
