Socio-Political & Economic Aspects of COVID19

Socio Political & Economic Aspects of COVID19 By NANDINI DASH   PREFACE This book ‘Socio Political & Economic Aspects of COVID19’ tries to touch several aspects of global life. How the social culture, international politics and economic aspects revolves around the pandemic and affects lives. This is assimilation of blogs written after the outbreak of COVID19 between March-May, 2020. There is the discussion of social-political, environmental impact, domestic violence at the time of lock down etc. All current sources also mentioned in respective chapters. YouTube New Normal - Impacts of COVID19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzGyBA7CmTM&t=23s Immunity for Epidemic COVID19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1es_vVeqOwY CONTENTS CHAPTER -1 Global learning of the epidemic Page -1 CHAPTER-2 Economic stimulus page-2 CHAPTER-3 Diligence & success page-3 CHAPTER-4 Impulsive social change page-4 CHAPTER5-5 Haste makes waste page-5 CHAPTER-6 Leadership shift page-6 CHAPTER-7 An army marches on its stomach page-7 CHAPTER-8 Throwing mud page-8 CHAPTER-9 Stand alone or in a cluster page-9 CHAPTER-10 Jack of all trades page-10 CHAPTER-11 Democracy or Sociocracy page-11 CHAPTER-12 Rumor & greed page-12 CHAPTER-13 N95 Mask page-13 CHAPTER-14 Law of Scalability page-14 CHAPTER-15 April shower brings forth May flowers page-15 CHAPTER-16 Epidemic cautions page-16 CHAPTER-17 Better late than never page-17 CHAPTER-18 Artificial intelligence is the new astrologer page-18 CHAPTER-19 Epidemic a test of peaceful diplomacy page-19 CHAPTER-20 Cleanliness page-20 CHAPTER-21 Environment pollution &Epidemic infection page-21 CHAPTER-22 The other side of the pandemic page-22 CHAPTER-23 A glimmer of expectation – end of epidemic page-23 CHAPTER- 24 Light at the end of the tunnel page-24 CHAPTER 1 Global Learning of the Epidemic The prevailing epidemic corona will be read in history as the widespread outbreak of the century. It overspread in five continents within a short span of time. With wreck of lives and economy also taught the world some lessons. • Progressive use of the internet – online work helped from total deadlock to some extent of running a business & imparting education. • Unveiled the reality of the strength and weaknesses of global interconnectedness. The positive side overtook anti-globalism. This is the time countries helping each other beyond their own difficulties. • Learned to take precautions and handle health care issues. They were prepared for a hurricane; tsunami but now educated themselves to tackle such widespread illness. • Nations together realized the repercussion of posting, broadcasting fake news and rumors. 600 people in Iran followed hearsay that alcohol prevents COVID19, consumed and lost lives. • Personally becoming disciplined out of chaotic life. This social distancing period teaches people how to be systematic in their lifestyle. As the first time creating such turbulence this infirmity taught certain things to the world with extreme results of deeds of people & stakeholders. CHPTER 2 Economic Stimulus When there are any exigency nation-states, Internationals organizations grant economic stimulus for the survival of the masses. The current pandemic is rare because it spread over 188 countries around the world. Such a far-flung epidemic is hard to manage. For small to big industries are closed. Although it helped to clean the environment yet the economic loss is marked. While many were under unemployment and underemployment, this pandemic made large numbers to laid off. Cottage industries, mongers, and many other sectors are unable to keep on. Therefore, besides funding from World Bank and such organizations countries are allocating huge amounts of money as a stimulus package. Lately, the Indian government announced about 10% of its GDP as assistance. At the beginning of the epidemic, the Canadian government declared more than 3% of its GDP. China is back to achieve its goal of leaving no one below the poverty line by the end of 2020. In the midst of a huge number of job loss in USA private companies like Sales force, Wal-Mart are hiring. Although these contributions and incitement inputs may not serve the right one for each of their deserve position yet, a great relief for survival. CHAPTER 3 Diligence & Success A global epidemic, economic loss, trade and blame game of who is taking the opportunity of what is the talk of the time. Let’s discuss in short 2 countries, their pre-during-post epidemic planning & execution. After struggling three months China has almost controlled the contamination, reopening and back to business. Applying Nanotechnology China has made N95 no disposable face mask. Going back to its expedients: • In 1980 China introduced skill-based education & now has the largest skilled labors in the world. • Its infrastructure, means roads, power supply, etc, attract Foreign Direct Investment. • Established economic strongholds. E.g., electronics, automobiles, etc. and saved money to spend on transport. New Zealand is a small island country. It is not trying to flat the curve but planning to eradicate the current epidemic. • A survey conducted by CATO published; in 2019 New Zealand ranked number 1 in the Human Freedom index. • It diagnoses the scope of business. • Reviews design options & comes with a solution. • Far ahead than other developed countries in education and human rights. Focused target, action and impromptu diligence put them at the axis of enrichment. CHAPTER 4 Impulsive Social Change Impulsive social change is like “necessity is the mother of invention”. The fine line between the two is the former happens through motivation, automatically and subconsciously. Later is the conscious outcome of prolonged research and effort. The current epidemic, social distancing period came forth with certain new practices and sort of equality in manners. They are: • People learned to make an office atmosphere from their living room, terrace or any other place. • Most people learning to do their own chores. There is no difference between rich or poor all are doing their work at home. • People are becoming economical. Those who do not have money they have to be thrifty. At the same time affluent also saving more because of the shutting down of all luxury and entertainment places like shopping malls, cinema, clubs. Even people scrimp by not travelling & spending on fuels petrol, CNG. • Discipline has been accustomed by reluctant indiscipline species. It might be their tendency post- emergency too. Some socio-political observers may find this behavior of commonality as inclination towards socialism. Else surveyors possibly call it attestation of liberal welfare state. Whatever, it is just impulsive social change. CHAPTER 5 Haste Makes Waste Epidemic corona taught a common sense to mankind that ‘haste makes waste else snooze you lose’. In one word it is ‘discipline’. Attitude is: • The ailment would go away with a magic wand. The reality is, it takes time to do research, for medicine and vaccine. So, trying to do it immediately may have hostile consequences. • If medicals, administration do not act expeditiously, the pandemic can spread like wildfire. Ergo, the immediate action of social distancing, healthcare service, medical equipment is to be provided soonest. Otherwise, the epidemic cannot be restrained. Exaggeration of mainstream media to the inner voice of gossip mongers is always fabricating some spicy story. The footings are: • This is not new. In 1918-20’s Spanish Flu infected 500 million people & took innumerable lives. Yet the earth is in existence with its species. • Globalization is not the culprit. In 1918 people were not connected like today still, one-third of the world’s population was infected. • Medical scientists believe the virus can sustain ¾ months so precaution is the best grit. • Research aspires to get drugs & vaccines within months. Do your bit, rest maybe delight. CHAPTER 6 Leadership Shift Lately, worldwide medical staff becomes national and international heroes. They are working day, night sometimes without appropriate precautionary measures. Celebrities are darling of their fans having lacks of online and offline followers. They are leaders who drive emotion of masses. "The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.”- John Maxwell Many a time people consider a person who has obtained some title and occupies a chair. On the other hand their passion has a special place for that celebrated person. In recent days amidst the privileged hierarchical leadership, another type of directory role is emerging. They were always there but these days emanating like a seed out of the earth, this is known as Inspirational Leadership. They engage and draw on by: • Empathetic in nature • Translating lip service into action • Practice transparency • Do not micromanage • Encourage others to do their best • Farsighted • Excellent communicator Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Albert Einstein were such genre of leaders. Age of Fourth Industrial revolution also introduced such forerunners like Steve Jobs and Malala Yousafzai. CHAPTER 7 An Army Marches on its Stomach A carriage runs when it is fueled. Species act after taking food. Flora needs sunray, water to grow up. Front line workers face the hostile on the battleground or in the form of a lethal epidemic, need proper support to fight and control. It is high time, people need to learn from each other. Scientists of many countries are working tirelessly. They intended to develop medicine and vaccine. Looking into the current archive we can see the preparation, planning, and execution of few countries. Since China was the first country to get the epidemic, for the first weeks they could not handle but later on, created an example. In the beginning when China lockdown domestically it was also sealed by many countries. But China did not close its borders internationally, kept a close eye on & confine them in quarantine. In Italy, before the first COVID19 case detected there were many other patients treated as seasonal flu. Other reasons are, Italy has the second-largest aged population in the world. More smoking addicts and in the first phase did not maintain ideal social distance. Besides having high-quality healthcare capacity the US did not take timely steps or bother to realize ‘ an army marches on its stomach’. Anyway, this should be inculcation for all. CHAPTER 8 Throwing Mud On the issue of mudslinging on each other, Chinese ambassador to the USA gave a simple but judicious view that “such rumors are crazy on both sides”. This is not a cold war on trade but at the outbreak of the epidemic in March 2020, USA President and Secretary of State opined corona virus as ‘Chinese virus’ and the ‘Wuhan virus’. In retaliation spokesperson of Chinese foreign ministry tweeted “It might be the US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan”. Anyway, the Chinese envoy played as a peacemaker. Also got a salutation from the USA ,State Department too. This occurrence reminds such an incident of 1985 when Soviet Union alleged America of manufacturing AIDS (HIV positivity). Not only in international politics, in personal life people play the same game. Recently social media become their sharpest weapon. The characteristics of great leaders and persons are: • Acknowledge the truth • Rectify the wrongdoing not try to hide it • Move on while refraining from doing the hidden misdoing • Stay away from tattletales Throwing mud is a harmful foul play because no ma