Opnion | Say No To Corona, Say Yes To Social Cooperation

Shahid Majeed

The orld Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus a pandemic as it spread in more than 100 countries around the world.The WHO defines a pandemic as “the worldwide spread of a new disease.” The determination is based on the geographic spread of a disease, the severity of illnesses it causes, and its effects on society. This declaration came after the wrath unleashed by Novel corona or Covid-19 as is termed today covering almost nook and cranny of globe. The statement further elaborated “Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly. It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and death.” A pandemic is a charaterisation and a call tk action not a reason to give up. The outbreak happened in Wuhan City of China where it’s largely believed to be spread by widespread wild animal trade there. Whatever its origin or reason may be, it is sufficed to say that the virus has been declared Pandemic Which is a Greek word converting to Pan- All, Demos- People so to a large extent it turns out be a disease covering almost whole parts of the world and influencing almost whole humanity worldwide. When a new disease spreads over a vast geographical area covering several countries and continents, and most people do not have immunity against it, the outbreak is termed a pandemic. It implies a higher level of concern than an epidemic, which the US Centers of Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) defines as the spread of a disease in a localised area or country. A major example of pandemic is the Spanish flu outbreak of 1918, which killed between 20-50 million. The Pandemic has already surpassed 3 lakh and taken lives of above 13000 and counting. The hotspots of China, Italy, Iran and Spain have presented horrible scenes in past few days. What actually is Covid-19? How can one remain safe? What are safeguards? Why did it spread so fast? Why did it takes lives so easily?  are oft-repeated queries these days. And the humanity is passing through a crucial litmus test to overcome the novel corona.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment.  Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow). This is all but a brief elaboration of Pandemic we are facing. Added to this the new research which came to fore past few days has prescribed one metre distance from infected person and 14 days quarantine for those suspected to be in touch for final clearence. Herein the problem gets severe where the infected person doesn’t manifests symptoms promptly or immediately. The symptoms are getting clear usually after a gap of 4 days where a person cleary manifests flu like symptoms. The outbreak would have been caught in its nascent phase had it been sympathetic with symptoms. The equipment usually used at entracnces of airports and related crossings is a misnomer. It only shows fever and related symptoms not corona actually which creates atmosphere for the pandemic to widen its net.

The virus as is familiar is a communicable that too unique in its spread and coverage. It covered the nook and cranny and caught establishment of China in particular and whole world in general unawares before they could get ready for combative measures. Since the present form of Corona virus is unique called as COVID-19 albiet it struck way back through SARS and MERS viruses also but to a compacted geography. The virus in its present shape reached far quicker to Iran and Italy which now shares more in dead numbers than china the epicentre. The statistics are horrible ranging from thousands infected to thousands dying on each passing day. Italy surpassed the no of dead than china and more cases are getting reported in other regions than China now. Chinese mammoth economic surplus emerged supportive enough to unleash unprecedented changes with war like mechanism locking the virus to a designated area and brought the cases down. It also helps other regional countries especially Pakistan and Greece plus Serbia in there combative efforts now. However to a large extent the severity of Virus is so great that it bended China to its knees. The consequences are a but a manifestation of the fire and furry imposed by Virus all around world these days. As epr reports of WHO and IMF world Economy is going to slip by 2% and the heat has already came to fore. The supply chains broke and the global travel is on halt these days. The global community is hither and thither as the Virus is touching new climax with more countries getting caught in epidemic from South America to Europe. The problem with Virus at present is inability to treat it with a valid drug or vaccine. Since the virus is unique and absolutely novice in its characteristics it requires ample time to prepare a solid vaccine for its cure. Although the US Company Moderna has started test trials of mRNA – 1273 but the complete package needs recognisable 4 phases series for final clearence to usage. So far now there’s no cure as such available which leads us back to Indian great Charakha who developed Ayurveda System universal dictum ” Prevention is better than cure “. So to prevent is to cure and to adopt safeguard is to keep others safe now.

Summing up the whole Pandemic in unique statement” Corona doesn’t comes uninvitably, on invitation it blossoms ” Means to say that the best cure for Corona at present is to keep social distance amid social cooperation. Researchers far sure had been successful to eke out that Corona only touches you when you come in contact with infected person. Therefore Janta Curfews, Lockdowns, Section 144 , holiday offers et al are but numerous initiatives to keep the people at feasible distance apart from the infected to isolate and restrict the deadly spread. The social cooperation replacing gathering is a potent drug to beat Corona. Social cooperation is needed at larger parlance for outright fight. Before getting trapped in this pandemic the need is to adopt slef stylised measure with somplete quarantine to avoid any Chinese repeat or Italy repeat further. Before you act see where did you stand! The society nowadays stands on the sandy base which may drag us to repeat of Spanish Flu devastation if not taken seriously. The tragedy of the hour is that strict regulations and strict measures are expected from state to adopt quarrantine and social distancing amid our tall claims of civilaizational ethos. The Russian Govt infused yet another horrific Lion infusion into streets to threaten people from venturing out! Unless and until society cooperates albiet distancing from gathering, mass programs et al the efforts would prove helpless to stop Italian repeat in our backyards. WHO has admonished about Indian outbreak that if happened may prove unbearable for whole humankind. The responsibility lies on every individual to self help his/her family, socially aware others, stop creating panic, keep aloof from rumour mongering etc. The quote that ” Everyone is a hero in one’s spirit ” Suits if everyone obliges and fulfils the responsibility atleast in abiding what proves out good for whole humanity. Say no to Corona say yes to social cooperation!

( Writer Shahid Majeed can be reached at mirshahid363@gmail.com )