KARACHI:
The coronavirus pandemic is being termed the greatest calamity of the 21st century. Many have deemed it as a punishment from God, while others have created absurd theories to reconcile with the devastation that it has brought about. One such theory is that the coronavirus pandemic is nature’s way of reducing the population of mankind. Another theory states that the whole thing is a propaganda against the Chinese.
Whatever the case might be, one cannot outright ignore the sheer amount of destruction that has come about as a result of the deadly virus. An estimated 22,000 deaths have occurred in Pakistan and thousands of families have suffered as a result. It has left a mark on us all, mentally and physically. But I would not go as far as to say that the virus does not discriminate — it does. It attacks those who are vulnerable and weak, those that are not able to afford a healthy diet, and those that are unable to isolate themselves.
A recent survey conducted within Pakistan showed that labourers and daily wagers have suffered the most. These labourers, who have had to risk their livelihood due to lockdowns and restrictions, claim that even though they were aware about the dangers of the pandemic, they could not let their children sleep hungry at night. Furthermore, economic analyst Khurram Shehzad’s analytical report states that prolonged lockdowns can endanger the jobs of more than 10 million people across the country. Medical experts have now warned that a fourth wave of Covid-19 – feared to be brought about by rapid spread of the Delta variant – would completely crush the healthcare system of Pakistan.
The elite class has access to expensive hospitals and doctors for treatment. They have enough money and resources to survive in lockdowns for the next many years. It is the lower class which has been completely left at the mercy of the virus. The government, therefore, needs to devise a mechanism whereby the poor are provided with relief during lockdown periods. It is time to acknowledge their plight.
Iraj Manzoor
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, July 1st, 2021.
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