KARACHI:
According to the John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, the confirmed cases of Covid-19 has exceeded 35.8 million, while the death toll has reached 1.04 million worldwide. Despite such bleak numbers, the Director-General of WHO claims that there is growing hope that a vaccine could be developed by the end of the year.
Here, it is imperative to maintain international collaboration especially after a vaccine is developed. If countries continue to behave in their self-interest, the unequal distribution of the vaccine could further bolster the stark issue of severe worldwide inequality — a situation that could endanger the livelihoods of millions and millions of people. Therefore, we must not forget the current havoc brought about the pandemic. The daily rise of infections in India is around 80,000, while the Czech Republic has just reported its highest single-day increase since the start of the pandemic. With the virus severely affecting people and economies across the world, the only way to counter it is through collective effort. A proper plan must be devised in order to guarantee the procurement and delivery of vaccines fairly. The needs of low- and middle-income countries must not be ignored or else it could result in severe repercussions for the already struggling economies.
Though there have been some positive developments with regard to relief, fiscal support to weak economies cannot be lifted as it could lead to massive unemployment and bankruptcies. As the world continues to be embroiled in a state of crisis, continued support through collaboration across nations remains our only hope.
Nayab Iqbal
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2020.
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