We Shall Overcome, But…
By: Neleena Joseph
Tags: Support, Covid 19 Crisis, Peace, Healthcare, Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus outbreak, which began in Wuhan, China in December, has expanded to touch nearly every corner of the globe. Millions of people around the world have been sickened and thousands of others have died. COVID — 19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly recovered coronavirus. Most people who fall sick with COVID — 19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment. The virus that causes COVID — 19 is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or exhales. These droplets are too heavy to hang in the air and quickly fall on floors or surfaces. You can be infected by breathing in the virus if you are with close proximity of someone who has COVID — 19, or by touching a contaminated surface and then your eyes, nose or mouth — this is how COVID — 19 spreads.

This pandemic has resulted in the largest amount of shutdowns or lockdowns worldwide at the same time. The COVID — 19 related curfews, lockdowns (known as stay- at- home orders, shelter- in — place orders) and similar restrictions implemented to prevent further spread of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2). Staying at home, social distancing and self-isolating are crucial to stop the spread of the virus, but they can affect us psychologically. This virus has affected all aspects of our lives and the constant news about the epidemic can feel never-ending. Not only it is impacting our physical health but it is taking people’s mental health too.

The United States remains the country with the most number of coronavirus positive cases and the death rates, more than 40,000, due to the infection. In addition to this Italy, Spain and France have more positive cases. Worldwide, we probably don’t know how many people have actually become infected. The positive cases across the world crossed 24,00,000 and the death toll topped 1,65,000 on Sunday (April 19, 2020). The number of recovered cases has increased to 38,65,000. Access to health is a human right, and India especially the state of Kerala showing best examples of proper heath treatments and disease diagnosis, that’s why a 93-year-old patient recovered from the COVID- 19 though most of the European countries commit a crime by denying sufficient and passionate health treatment to old citizens. Many developed countries only giving sedatives to them and isolating the old ones with diseased people — even if they are not covid positive but after two or more tests they also get contaminated. Because the government is responsible for the healthcare expenses of the old citizens, otherwise the governments have to take care of them.

Li Wenliang, the Chinese doctor, died after contracting the virus while treating patients in Wuhan. Last December he sent a message to fellow medics warning of a virus he thought looked like Sars — another deadly virus. But he was told by government and authorities to “stop making false comments” and was investigated for “spreading rumors”. Moreover, nowadays, Donald Trump, US president, has warned that China should face consequences if it was “knowingly responsible” for the Covid -19 pandemic. “If it was a mistake, a mistake is a mistake. But if they were knowingly responsible, yeah, I mean, then sure there should be consequences”, Trump said. Same like America, other countries also doubt that China discovered coronavirus as a bioweapon.

This is a crisis like no other, and there is substantial uncertainty about its impact on people’s lives and livelihoods. Nowadays we are grateful to the many doctors, nurses and healthcare activists who have expressed their sincere support and commitment to their job. In addition to this, many countries now face multiple crises — a health crisis, financial crisis, and a collapse in commodity prices. For the first time since the great depression each advanced economies are in a recession, the economic depression will lead to widespread firm bankruptcies, extended job losses, and huge unemployment rates.

But for now, my focus — our focus — world focus — is on stopping this virus and saving lives. There are some hopeful signs that this health crisis will end and treatments and vaccines may develop sooner than expected. The collaborative effort is needed to ensure that the world does not de-globalize. Every developed and developing countries are responsible to improve the health of many of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. At last, there is a lesson for all of us, the courageous actions of doctors, nurses, social workers, and responsible citizens need to be matched by policymakers all over the world so we can jointly overcome the crisis:)