Muhammad Usman
THE Coronavirus continues to rage globally undiminished with its deadly threat to humanity from health disaster to hunger. The world at large, is in quandary about which path it should take to coup with twin threats in tandem. Even developed countries are finding it difficult to grapple with puzzle albeit their immediate worry is not hunger but incomprehensible extreme downturns in their economy. Main reason is uncertainty which this novel virus is unleashing multiply and abundantly. Its trajectory still remains unknowable. This may cause humanity to land in unprecedented and uncharted territory. Earlier humanity has seen epidemics, now it is faced with a pandemic. Probably this is first time, it is experiencing a pandemic. Consequently, a number of new realities have cropped up which ought to be taken into cognizance by nations to update their response to escape its dreadful consequences.
Whatever, world is doing against Coronavirus, it is primarily aimed at saving their healthcare system, being overwhelmed by a multitude of patients. The aim is not its elimination but slowing down its spread to manageable levels until a vaccine/treatment is found. The probability of having a vaccine/treatment “anytime in the next calendar year is incredibly small” said, England’s Chief Medical Officer. During intervening period, world has to live with it. It has to improvise socially/functionally to keep itself afloat. After having fought first bout with Coronavirus, some developed countries are also cautiously considering to reopen their economies while keeping social distancing in place. It is a sober admission of the fact that threat would continue to hang just around the corner. This may make another round with even more vengeance if they lower their guards. It is true that Coronavirus attacks rich and poor alike but commonality ends when it comes to its impacts; economy/hunger. “COVID-19 is potentially catastrophic for millions who are already hanging by a thread,” said a Chief Economist at World Food Program. Factually, national lockdowns and social distancing measures are drying up livelihoods which in return could open floodgates of hunger/starvation in countries where a large portion of their population is living below poverty line.
Unfortunately, Pakistan falls in this category whose about 34% population was already living below poverty line. Indefinite lockdown would only accentuate the problem by stunning proportions. Besides, this human cost, there is also another cost of people dying because of non-availability of treatment for other afflictions. So far impoverished section of our society has survived only on charity and financial assistance provided by the government. Both have limitations of their own. In Pakistan, advocates of lockdown plead its continuation at least for three more weeks to flatten the curve as have been done by a number of countries in the world. Due to our limited capacity of testing, trace and treat, we may not be able to achieve this proposition for long time. In process, one thing is certain. It is economy which may bust beyond redemption while inviting hunger to our alleys and streets. In its wake, possibility of violent crimes/rioting, cannot be easily ruled out. It may be borne that model which is being pleaded is of developed countries whose main concern is not hunger but slowdown of economy along with fear of deaths by Coronavirus. We need to tailor our response according to our environments, not as of affluent nations. We need to take calculated risk to ward of threat of hunger also. Admittedly, we have not tested enough to determine extent of Coronavirus amongst us but one aspect is heartening that our tally of deaths, caused by Coronavirus not alarming. Conversely, we should have known this by now. This needs to be factored appropriately into our calculations.
Our situation is becoming precarious with each passing day but our media screens continue to remain buzz with debate on lockdown or partial/smart lockdown. There is no realization that time is money and we are poor. Contrarily, urgency of situation called for a unified response, much earlier. Assessed in cold logic, our salvation lies in selective lockdown and precautionary measures. Now it has approval of popular opinion as well as conventional wisdom. In a gallop survey, 80% respondents have supported actions of federal government to handle the situation. Its stance is of partial lockdown coupled with social distancing/other precautions. There is no time to build consensus. It is better to leave dissenting voices aside. In phases, government should reopen industries/businesses. The priority should go to those which are essential to meet demands internally because externally, uncertainty may rule indefinitely. Importance of agriculture sector cannot be overemphasized in such difficult times. Under no event, government should get lulled into complacency about precautionary measures. Notably, all unnecessary social gatherings/interactions be prohibited. The wearing of masks be made compulsory for people when outside their homes. Non-observance of these be made punishable offences. The charity has helped greatly to save impoverished people from hunger, it could do it far more if better managed. Under Ehsas Programme, government has data of deserving indigent people/their families. These families could be assigned to a willing affluent family depending upon its extent of charity. It would help avoid duplication. By this measure, we may enliven culture of brotherhood, introduced by our Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) between Migrants of Makkah and Ansars of Medina. By this measure, we may be able to invoke Allah’s blessing which is most sought in such an ordeal.
— The writer, a retired Lt Col, is freelance columnist based in Islamabad.
