Arif Majumder :
Are we aware about coronavirus pandemic? How much we are aware about this deadly virus? Now, this is an important question. We know that people of the whole world are so worried about coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. Every day, reports are now coming in on hourly basis of deaths from one to other parts of the world, which death news is heart-breaking, loneliest and horrific of circumstances. In our county, the deadly coronavirus have already attacked. It is high time; we should more conscious to save our life.
As Covid-19 is spreading from person-to-person so that we should more conscious to keep ourselves always separate from one to another. And it is best to stay where we are. It is already known to us that the symptoms of infection include fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. And severe cases, especially in older people with co-morbidities such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease and immune deficiencies, it can lead to multiple organ failure and ultimately lead to death.
Now, to tackle coronavirus pandemic we should more careful about health rules such as hand washing frequently with soap-water or use hand sanitizer. Because, we should remind that, currently the only way to reduce community spread is by maintaining good hygiene, social distance and self-isolation. It is partly a good sign that, already some conscious people are staying home right now and they may continue to do so over the next few weeks to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. Moreover, it is reminded to us that to stay where one is inside their homes instead of travelling.
And the government should issue firm warnings of punitive measures against its officials if found guilty of any slackness or misconduct in their duties in monitoring about the issue. Concerned authorities also must be prepared to take decisive action and introduce stringent measures without fear or favor. In this respect the government, communities and individuals need to work together with missionary zeal to defeat the deadly menace of the coronavirous pandemic with minimum loss of human lives. It is also important to note that after a few days, coronavirus spread person-to-person on a continuum. So, without more and more diagnosis, it’s incredibly difficult to trace contacts and prevent future cases. At this time, it is unclear how easily or sustainably the virus is spreading between people around the country.
It is also things to worry about this dreadful virus is not only causing humanitarian disaster but also affecting the country economy on a large scale. In the economic front the damage has already been done. Now, we need to wait to see how far it takes us down in economic terms. Although, it seems in the near future there lies enormous challenges for Bangladesh and its people to restore broken economy cause for coronavirus. As the panic of this virus has spread all over the world and it has created a deep concern for world economy. And we are almost five weeks into the crisis.
During this period, apart from emergency workers, we are mostly confined at home with family members. Living in lockdown or quarantine in tiny rooms can be painful for us indeed. It is more painful when there is so much uncertainty. And at this moment, many jobless and poor families are struggling to put food on the table. As coronavirus have already speed here there and everywhere throughout our country, while small business bleeding to dry, corporate ventures facing closure. For this, not only our country, across the globe, the most sufferer are those who are poor and considered minorities, and those who already have limited rights, and those who work the most precarious jobs.
We know, in our country, the month April is very crucial for us. By the end of the month, it should become somewhat clear how deep the crisis is in our country. Although, the government has announced six stimulus packages totaling BDT 77,750 crore. And all of these are for formal sectors. While these packages are very important for setting the stage for a strong economic recovery, the more immediate need was a survival package for the most vulnerable people under lockdown, who are mostly from informal sectors.
It is a concern, the vast majority of those people, living on daily wages and with very low savings, cannot stock up on essentials. And now into the lockdown, community support is also drying up for them. It is very necessary that a public distribution system is developed to ensure essentials are delivered to their doors. So that they can live and don’t to die lack of food.
In a near time, for a coronavirus free country, we should more active to alert unconscious people across the country as soon as possible through mass-messaging via government and non-government institutions, and more informally, through social networks, community leaders, and using social media etc.
(Arif Majumder, a journalist, writes from Dhaka)
