Need for social acumen
Don’t panic and act rationally.
It is important for citizens to understand how the spread of coronavirus plays out. Patterns in other countries show that the number of infections rapidly increase by the day till it reaches a peak; after which the situation slowly declines. The intensity and scale of the peak may vary depending on precautionary measures taken by different countries. The same is expected to happen in Pakistan. The next two to three weeks will be particularly important not just because of the spread but also because of how we act in the meantime.
To start with, it is necessary to maintain our nerves so that we don’t become a cause of inconvenience or threat for others; this means not hoarding up on necessities. The poor and destitute are fighting blind; without money, resources or awareness. Recently, the Sindh government announced the distribution of two million ration bags amongst deserving people in the province. While this act is commendable, they haven’t pulled a rabbit out of the hat. With the province accommodating almost 50 million people, these bags are not even a drop in the ocean. We will need all hands on deck to help the daily-wage workers and labourers who will be significantly affected. The affluent people need to pitch in and all institutions need to work collectively to analyse the situation on a daily basis.
It is vital to enforce social distance and self-quarantine, which means limiting the number of people you meet in a day and avoiding public gatherings while taking necessary precautions. A country-wide lockdown may well be the need of the hour, but it will create more problems in the economy and significantly affect the lower and lower-middle class. A shortage of resources will create havoc. We need to maintain faith in the government. Our armed forces too are ready if, God forbid, things escalate. With proper protocols and a coping system in place, Pakistan will be able to fight back and overcome the situation. Don’t panic and act rationally.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2020.
To start with, it is necessary to maintain our nerves so that we don’t become a cause of inconvenience or threat for others; this means not hoarding up on necessities. The poor and destitute are fighting blind; without money, resources or awareness. Recently, the Sindh government announced the distribution of two million ration bags amongst deserving people in the province. While this act is commendable, they haven’t pulled a rabbit out of the hat. With the province accommodating almost 50 million people, these bags are not even a drop in the ocean. We will need all hands on deck to help the daily-wage workers and labourers who will be significantly affected. The affluent people need to pitch in and all institutions need to work collectively to analyse the situation on a daily basis.
It is vital to enforce social distance and self-quarantine, which means limiting the number of people you meet in a day and avoiding public gatherings while taking necessary precautions. A country-wide lockdown may well be the need of the hour, but it will create more problems in the economy and significantly affect the lower and lower-middle class. A shortage of resources will create havoc. We need to maintain faith in the government. Our armed forces too are ready if, God forbid, things escalate. With proper protocols and a coping system in place, Pakistan will be able to fight back and overcome the situation. Don’t panic and act rationally.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2020.