Lessons from COVID -19
The new decade started out as any other but rapidly unfolded into a scenario that the world will remember for decades to come. Europe and western world viewed as isolated incidence of a novel Coronavirus which dotted across neighboring Asian countries - as swine and bird Flus in the past- took the world by force as the first months of the year rolled on. By mid-March 2020, Europe was
the epicentre of Covid 19 and it came in full force. The crisis presents an opportunity to prevent it
in time of next emergency.
The virus spread, through the inevitable consequences of Globalization from Asia to Europe and beyond at a rapid pace and within three months the world neared one million cases as healthcare systems struggled to carry out the sudden burden. This unraveled Europe throughout, as hospitals scrambled for respirators that weren't there, for Intensive care unit beds as they overflowed and to stock enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare providers to do their jobs safely and properly.
Covid 19 has revealed the need to devote resources for future epidemic prevention, and create cost- benefit models to evaluate the timing and various types of shutdowns to save lives without excessive economic disruption. The shutdown experience will push corporate India to innovate ways to cut travel, meetings, office space and other activities now considered routine. This will reduce the need for expensive commercial space, airline and train journeys, and hours of commuting time. It will yield major social benefits, of which the environmental ones stand out. Fewer people commuting to work means a huge saving of fuel and reduction of road dust resulting in less pollutants especially in vehicles idling in traffic jams.
Corona has brought with it a wave of negative outcomes, terrible illness and death, but it has also highlighted some important life lessons. These are -
1. You should be willing to trade some of your freedom for the greater good of the public.
A balance between individual rights and public safety is an ever changing thing. Trade a little
bit of your freedom for the greater good of the public.
2. Working from home should be an option for many. Without the virus in place, there should be
some system in place that will promote work-life balance.
3. Internet should be a basic right. During time like these, it is important to be able to contact family,
friends and work from home if necessary.
4. Doctors and Researchers need to be paid better. If this scary time has taught us anything, it's
that Doctors and Researchers will be the ones who get us out of this mess and are working Day
and Night to drive the recovery of the world. At the moment, hundreds of scientists scramble to
find a Coronavirus treatment.
5. Everyone should know how to cook. Knowing exactly what is your mind food and feeling that
sense of reward when you cook completely on your own.
6. Learn to appreciate Nature. The point is not to remain indoors, but to avoid being in close contact
with others. Make sure to wipe down any surfaces you came to contact with, avoid touching
your face and frequently wash your hands. General hygiene is always important.
7. Learn how to be content alone. Social distancing can be very difficult, but it can also teach you
a lot about yourself. Your mind and body is your home and you have to learn how to love and
live with it.
We need an early warning system for future crisis. Digital access must be seen as a utility like electricity and plumbing. Creative partnerships and the digital economy can create a better world
for all.
- - - - - - - - - -
the epicentre of Covid 19 and it came in full force. The crisis presents an opportunity to prevent it
in time of next emergency.
The virus spread, through the inevitable consequences of Globalization from Asia to Europe and beyond at a rapid pace and within three months the world neared one million cases as healthcare systems struggled to carry out the sudden burden. This unraveled Europe throughout, as hospitals scrambled for respirators that weren't there, for Intensive care unit beds as they overflowed and to stock enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare providers to do their jobs safely and properly.
Covid 19 has revealed the need to devote resources for future epidemic prevention, and create cost- benefit models to evaluate the timing and various types of shutdowns to save lives without excessive economic disruption. The shutdown experience will push corporate India to innovate ways to cut travel, meetings, office space and other activities now considered routine. This will reduce the need for expensive commercial space, airline and train journeys, and hours of commuting time. It will yield major social benefits, of which the environmental ones stand out. Fewer people commuting to work means a huge saving of fuel and reduction of road dust resulting in less pollutants especially in vehicles idling in traffic jams.
Corona has brought with it a wave of negative outcomes, terrible illness and death, but it has also highlighted some important life lessons. These are -
1. You should be willing to trade some of your freedom for the greater good of the public.
A balance between individual rights and public safety is an ever changing thing. Trade a little
bit of your freedom for the greater good of the public.
2. Working from home should be an option for many. Without the virus in place, there should be
some system in place that will promote work-life balance.
3. Internet should be a basic right. During time like these, it is important to be able to contact family,
friends and work from home if necessary.
4. Doctors and Researchers need to be paid better. If this scary time has taught us anything, it's
that Doctors and Researchers will be the ones who get us out of this mess and are working Day
and Night to drive the recovery of the world. At the moment, hundreds of scientists scramble to
find a Coronavirus treatment.
5. Everyone should know how to cook. Knowing exactly what is your mind food and feeling that
sense of reward when you cook completely on your own.
6. Learn to appreciate Nature. The point is not to remain indoors, but to avoid being in close contact
with others. Make sure to wipe down any surfaces you came to contact with, avoid touching
your face and frequently wash your hands. General hygiene is always important.
7. Learn how to be content alone. Social distancing can be very difficult, but it can also teach you
a lot about yourself. Your mind and body is your home and you have to learn how to love and
live with it.
We need an early warning system for future crisis. Digital access must be seen as a utility like electricity and plumbing. Creative partnerships and the digital economy can create a better world
for all.
- - - - - - - - - -
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