Yes, there is madness all around, with the entire World in Lockdowns due to the ongoing COVID19 Pandemic. This is the first major Pandemic after the Spanish Flu in 1918 just after World War 2, which took 50 million lives supposedly. In between, some other diseases have spread, but none has taken the shape of a worldwide pandemic, having spread to 210 countries currently. The Economic effects are evident like all aftereffects of a disaster. Livelihoods might be lost, people are getting displaced, a lot of people might lose their corporate jobs and internships due to mass layoffs by Companies. Students look at an uncertain future, especially those who were expecting to get their degrees in 2020. The worst affected country so far has been the USA. But on a positive note, it might also mean the USA is testing its people, at least at a rate much higher than how the developing and under-developed countries are coping. Lockdowns can help in flattening the curve or breaking the chain of transmission of the COVID19 Virus. But it is being noticed that very few countries can follow complete lockdowns. People are still gathering on some pretext or other. Because Humans are social animals, most people feel restless and agitated without some level of social contact. Lockdowns can not be sustained forever because then the Economies of most countries will collapse, and this ripple effect can go on for years to come.
Till a Cure and Vaccine is available for all, strict SOCIAL DISTANCING is the best solution. With Social Distancing, all forms of activities can go on with precautions. Let me explain further:
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No Wedding Gathering and Mass Celebrations till there is no cure
Lavish weddings with 1000s of guests can wait, get wedded if necessary in a simple way like a registrar or court marriage with only immediate family around. Please do not invite persons from other families, your friends, etc. Lesser the contacts with people, the better. Also, the Bride and Groom must get themselves tested for HIV-AIDS, Thalassemia, and COVID19, given how the current situation is.
Work from Home for all jobs which can be done remotely
A lot of Corporate jobs can be handled by work from home facility. Just provide the employee with the devices needed and reimburse his/her internet bills. Meetings can take place in safe Video Conferencing Softwares and Apps. Now video conferencing need good Internet connections. The employee should be provided with a reliably fast Internet connection, preferably Fiber-based Broadbands. Since Internet usage will increase, the factor of Network Security must be seriously looked into.
No Religious gathering in Temples, Mosques, Churches, Prayer Halls, etc.
God is in everyone. If we have true faith in our God and Almighty, we can offer our prayers from anywhere. Plus, it is God’s teachings only which says, ‘First help yourself, then spread goodness.’ God, who wants only good from his/her disciple, will first want everyone to be alive and safe. Make your homes your temple/mosque/church and your family, your companions, and offer prayers indoors instead of having to gather in other places.
Strict SOCIAL DISTANCING to be placed at Educational Institutions
Yes, I understand, implementing social distancing in schools for small children can be difficult. Instead, Home Schooling option for little kids till the Pandemic is history has to be looked into seriously. Older school kids beyond seven years of age can be made to understand Social Distancing, wearing masks, and hygiene. Fewer students should be made to sit in one classroom. Since there can be a dearth of classrooms, a set of students can be called to the school or college on alternate days. E-learning should be made the norm as much as possible. E-examinations have to be made an option too, with all developments to check on unfair means. Computer education has to be made mandatory. Teachers and Faculties must be trained in Video Conferencing software and other E-Teaching aids to be able to conduct their classes on camera either live or recorded. They must be provided with the necessary devices with fast Internet.
No Concerts, Movie screenings, Political gatherings till a sure-shot cure for COVID19 is found.
You can stream your concert at Home through the Internet on your device. Your favorite musician can sing from their own zone. Tickets, passes can be purchased online. The same goes for movie screenings at Movie Theatre, and if people can be made to sit at 6 feet distance from one another, then this can be one way. Or movies can release on the Video streaming apps like Netflix, Prime, Hotstar, and others. Political Gatherings must also not be arranged. In fact, it becomes a mandatory duty of all Ministers and Politicians to influence their followers in maintaining Social Distancing.
Public Travel Sector
Flights, Buses, Trains, local trains, Metros, Shared autos, minibusses, boats, all have to run with fewer passengers per trip so that Social Distancing can be comfortably maintained. If Work from Home is successfully implemented in all sectors where being on-site is not mandatory, then anyways, there will be a drop in daily commuters in Public Transport.
No Parties, Clubbing, Carnivals till a cure is in hand.
People have to be smart themselves to decide whether party gathering is necessary or the health of self and family. Covid19 Virus is highly contagious from Human to Human in close proximity. The World after the Pandemic will not forgive unnecessary gatherings lightly. Health and the lives of especially elderly can be at stake.
Films/Daily Soaps/Web series shootings
These can go on with strict Social Distancing or minimal crew, allowing no unnecessary gathering.
Hotels, Restaurants, and Eateries
They have to accept less intake in customers and guests in their hall rooms while making them be seated with strict social distancing.
Malls, Markets, Shops
They have to ensure people stand in a line at a minimum distance of 6 feet to purchase the items. At any point, too many people should not be allowed inside closed departmental stores and showrooms. The World after the Pandemic will test the patience in people.
Digital payment options must be given priority
Physical currency passes many hands; hence it can be a source of transmission of this highly contagious COVID19 Virus. People must be encouraged to use digital forms of payments as much as possible.
In Unorganized Sectors
Where a vast number of migrant workers get employed from time to time in the under-developed and developing nations like construction sites, road making, coal industries, various factories, farmland workers, their livelihood must be maintained. This is a many tiers system, they can be educated, taught new skills, told the benefits of having one or two kids, etc.
Population Control Worldwide
World Population is currently 7.8 billion and increasing. It took over 200,000 years of human history for the world’s population to reach 1 billion, and only 200 years more to reach 7 billion. Chinese and Indians make the majority of this World population. The population of especially under-developed and developing nations has to be controlled by their Governments.
Citizens must be voluntarily made to understand the benefits of one or two kids, not more. Incentive-based Population control can be a success, like monetary benefits, incentives, and special facilities for families having fewer kids (one or two). People have to be encouraged and educated about available safe methods of contraception. Women have to be empowered and educated so that the decision of when and how many kids can be effectively taken by them; after all, it is about her body. Abortion Laws must work for the women and their rights rather than against them. Obstetricians and gynecologists must be trained to be supportive of women and must not discriminate between married and unmarried women as it happens in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. If we want to avoid the devastation of another Pandemic, then Population control is absolutely mandatory starting right now. World leaders have to act immediately. There is no denying the massive strain on natural resources in the world due to the ever-growing population.
Post note
The world after the Pandemic will be different. There will be a slump in the economy, no doubt about it. But recovery and growth are there on the horizon. A Cure or Vaccination will be found that is my sure hope. Governments can implement plans to a certain extent only, and it is upon the citizens to make it successful. The post-pandemic world will be a different one than what we have known so far. People have to think and realize this changed situation. If survival is desired, then people have to adapt and adjust to this change. Yes, it will be complicated and full of glitches but is unavoidable for life after the Pandemic, which has claimed over 150 thousand people so far and counting. Till a cure or vaccine is found, Masks, Gloves, and hand hygiene are necessarily required. Future Pandemics can be avoided and averted if People learn to co-exist with Nature rather than plundering Natural resources for commercial gains.
