The Lock-down: An Alternative Solution

Did you know that you are 25 times more likely to die from the COVID-19 if you’re in your 70’s than in your 40’s??

What does this mean? 

This means that a majority of the people who are going to get killed by the virus are people above the age of 65, i.e. non-working people. The people who really don’t contribute that much to the economy of the country. 

Now, another statistic, okay? Last year, India had over 150,000 deaths from road accidents alone, not counting non-fatal injuries. To put it in context, the number of people that have died so far IN THE WORLD are just above 82,000.

(Source: Business Today)

What am I implying? What am I insinuating here? Well, that the lock-down may not be the best response to the virus.  Especially not for a developing country in India which already has serious economic issues. 

Let’s come back to the example of the car accidents. Every year, millions of people die from car accidents. Almost all of them are preventable. Do we call for a ban on cars? No, life goes on. So does death. 

(Source: Autocar Professional)

The Government of India has announced a 1,70,000 crore rupees relief package for the poor, however, will any of it even reach them? And if it does, will it be on time? More importantly, will it be enough?

India has 15 crore people who go to bed hungry every night. Unemployment rates have increased three-fold during the lock-down period. The day is not far when we start getting news that farmers and daily-wage workers are dying due to starvation and unemployment. In such a situation, can we really afford to extent the lock-down?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that the virus is not a serious problem. I am not promoting callousness. I am, instead, putting forward an alternative solution, something that mitigates the risk of the virus whilst also allowing life to continue normally.

The fact is that the virus will cause proportionately far fewer deaths in developing countries than in the developed countries, because we have a greater proportion of young people. However, this also means that an extended lock-down could very well lead to an explosion in the malnutrition, unemployment, and financial pressure in these countries. 

A lock-down is the best idea for the developed countries because they really do not have much of an option. In the USA, 1 in every 7 people is above the age of 65, while in India the number is 1 in 16, more than double. So, instead of blindly following developed countries and extending the lockdown, what else can India do?

(Source: Financial Express)

India can consider a more India-centric approach to fighting the virus. What does this mean? Well, this can be summed up in the following points:

• Isolate all those who are at a higher risk. This includes all those above the age of 65 or 70. Put them all in quarantine. Keep them safe there and constantly monitor them for symptoms.
• For the rest of the country, life continues as normal. However, people are advised to still take precautions like wearing masks if they think they have symptoms, and regularly washing their hands.
• All schools, colleges, offices, and places of religious worship are sanitized and then opened. However, a close eye is kept and anyone suspected of symptoms is tested and placed into quarantine.
• Offices can still promote the work-from-home culture. Employees whose physical presence is not required in the workplace can continue to work from home if they prefer. 
• A new worker safety policy must be drafted by the Central Government. Factories and companies that comply with these policies must be allowed to resume production. 
  
  
  
  

(Source: LiveMint)

Now, is this difficult to implement? Yes, of course. 

Isn’t extending the lockdown a lot easier and more convenient? Undoubtedly, it is. 

Will the lock-down mitigate the transmission of the virus? It will. But at what cost?

 

Yes, we might be able to control the virus, but at the cost of pushing us back by almost 2 decades on the developmental path. Can we afford that? 

Will we be able to recover from it?

More importantly, is it worth it? Especially if there is an alternative option. 

You decide.

Jai Hind!!

-NK