Daily Times

People across the globe are fighting against an invisible enemy today: COVID-19. Although this battle is tough yet the only option humanity has is to win decisively. Things escalated briskly since the World Health Organization (WHO) issued its preliminary guidelines on the Novel Coronavirus in January this year. Within a short period of two months, COVID-19 was characterized as a pandemic. Since then, most of the countries are in a state of stagnation and the lockdowns are the new normal. The spread of this disease has affected the lives of humans without any discrimination. Technologically advanced countries, having the best health care systems, are equally struggling to safeguard their citizens from this deadly virus. The global economies are either slowing down or receding. This financial crisis is termed as “Great Lockdown” and as per International Monetary Fund (IMF) projections, the global economy is projected to contract sharply by negative three percent in the year 2020, much worse than that during the 2008-09 financial crisis. No one is left unaffected in one way or the other. These desperate times call for desperate measures and the priorities are being re-defined globally.

Our government since the outbreak of coronavirus in Pakistan is striving hard to contain the spread as much as possible by implementing a range of measures but the central role is to be played by the public at large. Their behavior and reactions will determine the country’s fate in the fight against this deadly virus. Some of the actions taken by the government to stop the spread included: closure of borders with neighboring countries; a ban on international and domestic flights; countrywide lockdown with the ban on all kinds of public gatherings and events; closure of public and private offices as well as educational institutes; and the deployment of army as an aid to civil authorities to enforce these measures effectively. Quarantine centers have been established countrywide to isolate and treat infected patients. Standard operating procedures have also been developed and are being followed by screening teams, rapid response teams, and disease surveillance teams alike. Pakistani media is also playing its due part in spreading awareness among the people and encouraging them to adopt physical distancing and cleanliness measures. This collective effort, to some extent, has succeeded in “flattening the curve” in Pakistan but the danger is not over yet. The decisive role is to be played by the public. Their behaviors in accepting and adopting these measures are imperative to save this nation.

On the economic front, the lockdown had an overall devastating effect on the already crippling economy of our country. IMF also suggested a negative 1.5 percent real GDP growth for Pakistan during the year 2020. To lessen these damaging effects on the economy, our federal government announced a relief package of Rs 1.2 trillion which included several measures such as elimination of import duties for health equipment, accelerated tax refunds to export industry, transfer of funds to NDMA for procurement of necessary equipment, financial support to SMEs and utility stores, relief in fuel prices, and the Ehsaas Emergency Cash program. The government also announced a construction relief package to provide immediate relief to the workers and to encourage investors to invest in the construction sector as a lot of industries are linked with the construction industry. All this was made possible as IMF Executive Board approved a US $ 1.386 billion disbursement to Pakistan to address the COVID-19 pandemic by strengthening social support and maximization of spending in the health sector under Rapid Financing Instrument Model.

Pakistan stands at the sixth spot in Asia among the countries worst hit by the coronavirus and is at the nineteenth spot globally

However, on the behavioral side, the lockdown has resulted in an outcry of the traders and the business community. The exporters are equally outrageous as their export orders are being cancelled on account of non-delivery. It is pertinent to mention here that the opportunists are trying to get the maximum benefit out of this situation by hoarding essential safety items such as gloves, masks, sanitizers etc. and selling them to the people at exorbitant prices. These immoral behaviors need to be corrected.

The collective societal response against this COVID-19 pandemic is worth discussing. Many essential services such as grocery stores, fruit and vegetable markets, milk shops, medical stores have started home delivery services ensuring physical distancing. Applications like Durust Daam, Kaam Daam, Telemart are widely used by household consumers. Likewise, telemedicine is a reality now and doctors are serving patients using technology. The concept of “work from home” is being practiced widely in both the public and private sectors. Extra-curricular activities like singing, fitness, make-up, yoga etc. are being conducted through online platforms. Motivational speakers and celebrities are also playing their part by keeping the public motivated and entertained through online sessions during these dark times. Restaurants have shifted their focus from dine-in to take-away and delivery services. The mosques are also opened with strict SOPs to ensure the safety of the worshippers. Overall, society is adapting to the lock-down restrictions and keeping life moving at the same time.

However, here again, there are behaviors from a few segments of society that have created a lot of trouble for the health professionals, law enforcement agencies (LEAs), and the public as well. There were reports of suspected patients who fled away from hospitals and quarantine centers risking the lives of a lot of people they may come in contact with. Some of us are not following the precautionary measures such as maintaining physical distancing while they go out for work, pray, or for any other need. People are ready to fight LEAs if they are stopped from congressional prayers, processions but they are not ready to adopt safety measures. Some people have even resorted to spreading fear through baseless and fake news. Most of us have even failed to realize the gravity of the situation and are still busy contemplating ways to prove conspiracy theories about the spread of this disease and its cure. Precaution is the only cure till now and people have to change their behaviors to live with this disease till the time we get a vaccine.

The situation in Pakistan is worrisome. Recently, the Government of Pakistan partially lifted the restrictions to save the country from an economic meltdown and asked the people to follow SOPs strictly. However, as it is not being abided by the public at large, the rise in COVID-19 numbers is telling a horrific story. More than 46,000 infected cases have surfaced with the death toll crossing 950. Pakistan stands at the sixth spot in Asia among the countries worst hit by the coronavirus and is at the nineteenth spot globally. Despite having limited testing, the daily spikes are reaching on average about 1800 new cases. The social stigma towards this disease, policy gap from government, and fear in the society is still unaccounted for in these numbers. Markets are overwhelmed by the public without any precautionary measures being taken right after the lockdown was lifted and public transport is about to start its operations with no signs of implementation of SOPs. It is feared that God forbid, Pakistan may reach the third slot in Asia surpassing China and Saudi Arabia if due care is not taken timely. Data never lies.

The writer is an engineer turned public policy student and a freelance writer. He can be reached at engr.mmrehman@gmail.com