Pandemic Coronavirus, Lockdown and Exodus

Penniless, without food and means with their fatigued children in their laps or shoulders, they were not passeggiating but sauntering for survival. Rustic men, women and children were seen walking en masse on the highways. Stupefied but determined, they had a sole aim in their minds. They wanted to reach home in their villages far away from their workplaces where they had come to earn a livelihood. 

Soon after the lockdown was enforced in wake of Coronavirus pandemic, panic gripped the migratory population of labourers. Their jobs were lost and livelihood had gone. It is the class of people who earn their bread daily. Losing jobs meant a lot; it left them in a lurch. Caught in a piquant situation, they had to choose between the devil and the deep sea. In the crisis, employers abandoned them. They were sacked as there was no work for them. Left with no succedaneum, they decided to return to their home. It was spontaneous. Rumours fuelled the fear for their lives and uncertainty of the future. Parochial motives of local politics catalyzed the fear. Unexpected hostile conditions forced them to return. The result first came in the form of large aggregation in Anand Vihar at New Delhi. It was followed by several other such occurrences which soon became torrent. 

Millions of poor people, mainly from Hindi heartland Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, migrate to other states in search of jobs and a better future. These are the rainfed areas with agriculture as the prime occupation. Reeling under severe conditions, low income, high crime rate and caste discrimination, the Hindi heartland could provide them with no better future. Once known for industries and hub of handicrafts, the state of Uttar Pradesh gradually slipped to oblivion. Districts like Jagdeeshpur, Kanpur, Meerut, Aligarh lost their industries. The large workforce became unemployed. The constricting land holdings, uncertain weather, perennial floods, local conditions and lack of alternate job opportunities compounded the problems and force the youths to migrate. Leaving their families behind, the people travelled thousands of kilometres to states like Maharastra, Gujrat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. 

The migrant workers, mostly unskilled, constitute an easy and cheap labour force. Primarily they are employed in sectors like construction, transport, brick kilns and small satellite industrial units on a casual basis. In the hope of sending a substantial amount to their homes, they tend to spend less; work in tiring conditions and live in shades near their workplace. Devoid of any government-run provision store they use to take necessary groceries from local shops. Supposed ‘Truncus Aorta’ of the economy, these hardworking people suffer a lot because of their exploitation. The absence of effective legislation convoluted the situation and compounded the woes of the unorganised migrant workforce who are subjected to enslavement and low wages. Though to safeguard the interests of migrant workers ‘Inter-State Migrant Workers Act, 1979’ was passed and enacted but in all practicality, the Act is defunct and not being observed. Their hesitance to remain there and eagerness to leave their workplace permanently would create a void which may hamper the pace of economy of the place/state they were in. The readiness of the respective home state governments to accept their people with work would lead to a paradigm shift. Politicos of states like Maharastra may feel the brunt whose parochial engine was powered by the fuel of regional hatred, hostility and abusive behaviour. The opposition of exodus was also reported. 

The lockdown taught them a harsh lesson. They did not grumble nor had any complaints. They simply wanted to reach their homes which only could provide them shelter, food, security and emotional support. Without caring for their safety, food requirements and long distances they peregrinate with headloads and infants tucked in their laps. To ease and help the moving migrants, people from all walks of life came forward. Cooked food and shelter were provided to them on their way. It is heartening that the central government, in consultation with state governments, took steps which helped migratory labourers reaching their homes. ‘Shramik Special’ trains were started. Under strict ‘Social Distancing’ norms, the labourers were transported to the stations near to their homes. The government categorically made it clear that the labourers need not pay for their journey. The expenditure was borne by the central and state governments on a sharing basis; 85 per cent of the expenditure was to be borne by the central government while 15 per cent by the respective state governments. 

The respective home states chalked out a system to provide them with a job. In Uttar Pradesh, the Yogi government worked on it. An action plan was formulated in this direction. Talking to ‘The New Indian Express’ (03-May-2020) Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Aditya Nath expressed confidence and said, “Today, we are in a position to provide immediate employment to 15 lakh people in the state and it is the responsibility of my government to provide them jobs.” Answering a question he further said, “We do have a challenge in hand but there are options galore. At present, we have made doorstep delivery arrangements all over the state during the lockdown. Through this, we have provided direct and indirect employment to more than 1.5 lakh people. MNREGA, MSME, ODOP (one district one product) and voluntary organizations are options through which we will give employment to them.” (Complete interview can be read here.) These steps augmented the morale of workers of the state who hope to get work in their state. 

 

Coronavirus pandemic is a menace. The number of corona cases is still on the rise. As of now, 1532135 coronavirus cases and 34224 deaths have been reported in India. This is harrowing. The curative/preventive drug/shot has yet to be evolved. The work is on. Some countries have progressed considerably in this direction. Working on monoclonal technique, Israel has claimed that they are testing the evolved vaccine on rodents. However, it is a time taking process. Until then, ‘Social Distancing’ through lockdown is the only effective weapon to fight Coronavirus pandemic. However, it has its limitation. The country is under lockdown since 25-March-2020. The halted economic activities pushed the system to the brink. Governments are running out of funds. With halted revenue generation the state governments find it difficult to pay salaries to their staff and run machinery. Urging the central government to relax lockdown, Delhi Chief Minister Mr Arvind Kejariwal had opined that Coronavirus was going to stay and we should learn to live with it. The recent relaxation on liquor sale was a means to generate revenue, though the step received criticism all over the country. The ugly scene on hooch shops and the public behaviour was pathetic. The norm of ‘Social Distancing’ was seriously flouted. The police had to intervene and even the liquor sale was closed down.

The lockdown, though is an effective means to break the chain of Corona spread, cannot be imposed for long. The government has phasically lifted it and a large number of movements and commercial activities have been allowed, with some restrictions albeit.

The days are difficult but, hopefully, things would turn out better. The battle against Coronavirus is still on. Care and caution are effective weapons to combat the dreaded enemy. Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi has cautioned the people time and again to observe the cautions. Appealing the people to put on masks when in public places he emphasised to avoid crowds and maintain distance. He urged to remember Corona warriors who used to put on masks for long hours in case we long to take it out in his recent 'Man Ki Baat' program. As of now, it is the only way out. India, hopefully, would have a vaccine in a few months. The public trial of the vaccine has been started. By that time, it is incumbent upon the people to observe the norms and care.

Combat of Humanity against Coronavirus Disease: Covid-19

Addressing the nation on the outburst of Covid-19 Coronavirus on 24-March-2020, Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi announced total lockdown across the country for 21 days, starting from midnight of 24-March-2020 till 14th April 2020. With folded hands, affectionately but firmly he requested the people to remain indoors in the wake of Covid-19 attack. "Stay where you are", urging the people he further said, "Every state, every Union Territory, every district, every village and every locality is being put under lockdown". Emphasizing the need to draw 'Laxman Rekha' around the house he appealed people to remain inside the confines of their homes for 21 days; crossing 'Laxman Rekha' would mean pushing the country 21 years back. He underlined the havoc of Covid-19 outbreak in a clear term without mincing the words. 

Starting from Wuhan, China where the virus engulfed more than 3000 people, it spread its deadly tentacles across the globe including India. Though the official figures of death in China is little above 3000, the real picture may presumably be much higher. According to unconfirmed reports based on the number of vanished mobile users, the death toll in China maybe around 1.46 crore people. In Italy, the harrowing death toll has reached more than 7500. Similarly, in Spain, the death toll has crossed 3600 while in Iran it became 1934 and in the USA 667. In India, 13 deaths have been reported so far but expectedly, it should not increase further because of the strict wide spectrum precautionary measures and lockdown.

To fight and defeat this dreaded enemy is the prime goal. It is an Armageddon - war against an invisible but potentially lethal Coronavirus. In the present scenario when its cure is in a process of evolution the virus, declared a pandemic by WHO, may cause havoc. The fast pace of it's spread would affect many more and/or kill. Globally, the total number of confirmed cases is 4,51,355 and deaths are more than 21000. In India, from 30th January 2020 when the first case was reported, the number of infected people has crossed 600 and 13 people have died. The exponential rise in figures is a cause of concern. In the absence of targetted treatment, the only means to fight the pandemic enemy is to kill it naturally. 

Chinese scientists have opined that the incubation period of the virus is about five days. It may, as WHO has estimated, go up to 15 days. This means the virus would take about 05-15 days to manifest its symptoms after entering a host which, in this case, is another human being. It is, however, possible that in the meantime the infected person unknowingly passes the infection on to another one by touch or other means. The first case of its spread was found to be associated with 'animal-to-human' transmission since its origin had been assigned to Human Seafood Wholesale Market of Wuhan. The Coronavirus outbreak has been linked to Pangolins which might not be unfounded. Structurally speaking, the genetic material of the virus Covid-19 has been found very close to Pangolin - primarily ant-eater scaly mammal reported to be extensively poached and smuggled to China. Later the transmission of the virus, however, was found not necessarily linked with 'animal-to-human' chain instead 'human-to-human' transmission became prevalent. The virus transmits from symptomatic people to the healthy one through the atomized droplets of the former’s sneeze and/or cough. It can also be passed on to another human through physical contact like hand-shake. Measures suggested by WHO to prevent its spread includes regular hand washing/sanitizing with alcohol-based sanitizers, covering mouth & nose when sneezing or coughing and avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as cold, cough and sneeze. Besides, a safe distance of at least a meter or 1.5 must be maintained between the people while interacting. The most effective means to eradicate it, thus is, 'Social Distancing', isolation and maintaining hygiene. This breaks the chain and because of its low longevity, the virus would be eliminated soon.

The announced lockdown of 21 days may seem long but, as experts say, it will effectively contain the spread of the virus. Like other previous viruses, Covid-19 has four stages of transmission. We in India are currently at the second - local transmission stage. This stage is comparably manageable and less dangerous; traceable for the spread is relatively slow and the sources are known. It is, therefore, easy to break the chain at this stage. The third stage is when the virus spreads very fast and its sources are also not traceable. It is community transmission wherein it spreads in a web fashion. Fourth and last stage is the one when it becomes endemic and next to impossible to check it. It was the carelessness and casual approach towards the virus which caused a large number of deaths in Itlay, Spain and Iran. Though measures like lockdown were taken by the governments of these countries, by the time it was too late. 

The spread of the virus can be controlled by identifying and isolating infected people. China, the epicentre of the pandemic, was able to control the menace by strictly imposing and enforcing it. Wuhan was completely locked down - even the local roads leading to affected areas and buildings were sealed. This pocket-creation restricted the virus and checked its further spread. Besides, the Chinese focused sharply on strengthening health care and research, channelized their energy in isolating and treating the affected ones. They used places like stadia to create temporary hospitals on war footings. The steps paid dividends; Coronavirus cases halted and contained. Such measures have also been taken by the Indian government. PM Modi has announced a health package of Rs 15000 Cr to strengthen the health care facility. The strict observation of lockdown is the need of time. 

It, however, has its side effects as well. The otherwise pressurized economy due to various factors may become more strained. The disrupted supply chain to other countries by China may affect the production. India, albeit, will be affected minimally due to less dependency on foreign supplies but the hospitality, aviation and tourism sectors would get severe blow due to lockdown. The stock market is hitting hard causing Sensex to nosedive. Plunging oil prices and a looming global recession may further aggravate the situation. The nation, nevertheless, cannot overlook the health and life of the people which are of utmost importance. The steps taken by the government to combat the menace are quite satisfactory and in the right direction.