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| COVID-19 and Lockdown. Merits and Demerits | | |
Ravinder Jalali
Now 2nd lockdown on account of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is coming to an end on 3rd May, let us look at the merits and demerits caused to the general public. This is a disease caused by a newly discovered virus known as Coronavirus originated from Wuhan City in China where from it spread to almost entire globe. Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect one and others from infection by washing hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching our face.
As of now almost 32 Lacs of people all over world are infected which has caused about 2.3lacs deaths and in India about 1000 deaths have taken place out of 33000 infected cases and the count is on rise. The entire country has come to stand still with no rail, air or road transport available. This has been done to protect the citizens. Keeping in view its increase in no of cases outside the country, it proved a bit advantageous to us to handle this pandemic. In view of the magnitude of loss in other countries like Italy, China France, Spain, US etc., we have been able to contain it at minimum level i.e. deaths up to 100 and infection at around 4500 at present which is very satisfactory keeping in view the size of our population.
Despite the restrictions due to lockdown there are some of the merits and demerits of COVID in India, as there is always hope against despair. People who were often complaining of not getting offs from their work are now getting off and can spend best times with their families. This will be cheapest holidays for the family as people have not to go out, thereby saving time and money like fuel for vehicles and bill of restaurants. School children are enjoying their stay in homes and are enjoying home food and delicacies. Big cities are witnessing the lowest emission of pollutant contents in the atmosphere and the environment is the cleanest one. Experts say the carbon emission in big cities is just 5% which is lowest since WWII.
People are observing clear blue sky these days which can be scene from naked eye which was a distant dream when the traffic was at full bloom particularly in big cities like Delhi or Mumbai. Who could have imagined viewing Gangotri peaks from Saharanpur of UP People are leading a simple and pure living mostly eating inside homes with bare minimum requisites. It is just like global maintenance period. Animals are having free time and are scene in every lane or roads or highways because no major vehicular traffic is running. With no flights, air quality has improved. Domestic workers got the relief with paid holidays because it has been cleared by the government that the householders will not deduct any wages from them, rather will pay amount in advance to mitigate their hardships these days in view of the liquidly crunch. One biggest achievement is reduction in accidents and no loss of life in view of less or no vehicular traffic on the roads. We have to imagine the no of deaths saved during these days. Thousands of persons are getting killed daily besides being injured. I will leave up to you to see the exact no of deaths taking place by making your own searches. Ozone layer which had depleted in the past has been reported repaired, which is a great achievement.
We have also saved thousands of “Nirbhayas” from rapes as thousands of rapes take place in India. Chain snatching and pick pockets will also be nil or negligible. It is not only chain snatching but it causes great injuries, sometimes fatal also which is on the positive side. Although I feel for them as they have become job losers.
Coming to the demerits of COVID 2019, they are numberless. It has broken the spine of Indian economy. The list is endless and the biggest tragedy is that we do not know as of now when it will end and how long it will continue. The entire economy has come to standstill. Civil aviation, railway and road and navy have come to a grinding halt. We have heard earlier that when employees go on day`s strike how much loss the organisation or institution incur. Airlines are running in losses because there is no income and the recurring expenses like salary and fixed charges are to be paid. Tourism is one more important area which has received a severe blow. With all road transport off the roads, the tourists are unable to move, which has given a harsh blow to tour operators. Hotel industry and other related sectors have come to a grinding halt. Airlines mostly private have reduces their salary to staff but in case of railway being Govt. owned, salary are to be paid to employees.
Daily wagers and casual labourers are the most sufferers. One is that they are out of homes and have no source of income. With two meagre meals a day, it is not going to solve their problem. Students, migrants, etc are stranded for the last almost 35 days and are eager to go to their homes in villages where they can join their families. Unemployment is one more, rather foremost sector receiving a setback. Already we are having disgusted unemployment and now with COVID 2019, real unemployment has come to forefront. Some of the companies have decided not to pay any salary or wages to their employees during the lockdown period and even big corporates have reduced the salary to their employees. Banking sector is heavily at the receiving end. With no income and no job, there will be defaults in the repayments of the instalments, which will result into rise in NPAs. Although RBI has already relaxed the repayment by 3 months but those who have no income will default. Delay in repayment will only delay in NPAs and not in reducing or stopping, new accounts becoming NPAs. This will give temporary relief to balance sheet of financial institutions but will not cure. Automobile sector is being hit. Cinema industry is also passing through bad passage of time.
The dream government of achieving 5 trillion dollar economy by the year 2025 will be bleak because to reach this target we must have a GDP growth of more than 11% as per current estimates where as we are expecting 4.7% in 20-21 and growing @this rate, it seems to be very difficult. |
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