The Viral Coronavirus OR COVID- 19 disease has been compared to a `Third World War.’ The reason being that it has impacted social, community, economic, political and everyday functioning of almost 160 nations. It is surely playing havoc not just with lives but with people’s livelihood too. And very soon, countries will need wartime measures to restore normalcy, depending on how long the mayhem lasts.
With the confirmed cases moving upwards across the world – 245,749 globally and 195 in India. Global death toll rose to 10,048 on Friday, with India reporting four deaths due to Covid-19.
Maharashtra reported three new cases of taking its total to 52 –highest in the country. Overall, 89000 people across the world have also been cured of the viral infection. So, we still have hope. Scientists across the world are also speeding research on the novel Virus and its behavior. Though, unfortunately developing a vaccine would take time; at least a year or so.
All eyes are on India now as being second most populated country in the world. With the virus having spread its wing across states, we now enter Stage 3 when there’s fear of community spread.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the nation and requested citizens to stay at home. The PM urged India’s 1.3 billion citizens to put themselves under self-curfew on Sunday (March 22) to protect themselves from the coronavirus, hours after the government announced it was barring all international flights from landing in the country for a week starting March 22. All visas have been suspended and there is already a temporary ban on foreigners.
The Prime Minister said, “People have to show resolve and exercise restraint. If we are healthy so will the world be. Keeping away from crowds, staying at home, and social distancing should be norm for the coming weeks.”
The Government has banned all international flights to India from March 22 to 28. Railways, Metros have been asked to scale down. Only 50 per cent of the shops and establishments in the crowded area have been told to function. In fact, shop owners have themselves decided to stay indoors. So, India is currently in a partial lockdown state.
Taking cues from the world scenario, in the third stage if a person doesn’t know that he/she has the infection; it can spread too many more people. It was in stage that Spain, Italy and Iran could not deal with the situation and even the medical fraternity could not cope with the patients.
Global Scenario
In Italy, the stark death toll has risen to 3,405. This is more than China. Experts say, the Italians failed to take the lockdown seriously and did not Quarantine themselves. Whereas, the draconian measures in China have yielded results though they were initially criticized for human rights violation.
Meanwhile, in America, the Virus has entered the corridors of power. Two US Congressmen, a Democrat and a Republican have tested positive. The economic might of the nation is unable to curtail the spread of the pathogen. President Donald trump is calling it the invisible enemy and blaming China for its spread. Calling it the `Chinese Virus’, Trump has gone on record saying that China should shoulder the responsibility for this. Many feel the Communist regime suppressed the initial information and the whistleblower doctor Li Wenliang, from Wuhan was reprimanded by the police for sharing information about the Virus. It was Li’s death from COVID 19 in February that people demanded to know the truth. But, by then it was too late and the Virus had spread its wings across borders. In the US the cases have gone up to 10,755 and death toll to 154
Covid-19 is a large family of viruses that causes illnesses ranging from the common cold to acute respiratory syndromes, but the current virus is a novel strain not seen before. Common symptoms of the novel coronavirus strain include respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, according to the WHO. The WHO has declared the coronavirus epidemic as a global health emergency.
The virus, which originated from China (though China is denying it ) has rapidly spread to about 160 countries, hurting economic activity, global markets and forcing countries to go for lockdowns. Stocks are suffering badly across the board as investors fear the magnitude of damage the virus will cause from a global slowdown in travel, shopping and other consumer spending.
Let’s hope and pray that this too shall pass!
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