Ochibenla
Student, Aoyimkum Village
As we all know, the sudden outbreak of the novel coronavirus has wreaked havoc far and wide. According to Worldometer, the total death toll of the world sums up to 119,699 (In India alone, the fatalities is a staggering 358). In Nagaland, the first positive case of the virus was reported on 13 April 2020. The pandemic has not just costed lives but has made a significant economic mark. World economy has come down significantly by 30-40%. According to recent estimations, India's economic growth can take a hit of upto half of a percentage point in FY21 because of the disruptions caused by the pandemic. The economy is forecast to grow 50% in current fiscal, the slowest in 11 years. Irony is that it has not been a month since the lockdown in the country.
Health security must be ensured to all at the grassroot level. Each citizen has the right to enjoy basic health security. Medical officials, all staff workers at hospitals and medical centres including sweepers, ambulance drivers, police officials and chowkidars must be prioritized first. Personal Protective Equipments(PPEs) must be readily available. One- use items must be utilized just once (sarcasm intended). Scarce availability of hygiene-based products must be taken into consideration. For instance, I get to use hand sanitizers very judiciously because I am told that pharmaceutical shops have run out of it. Such must no longer be the scene. If such products are not available, how can we hope on being safe from the virus?
Working at health care comes at a huge cost right now. An emergency responder nurse in Philadelphia told Huffpost told that she recently moved out of her parents' house to avoid passing the virus to them while being compelled to pay an extra $1,400 a month, which she wasn't planning to spend, for rent. Patricia Bain, a respiratory therapist and director of cardiopulmonary services at a hospital in Las Vegas, said,"I don't go to the store in scrubs. People give dirty looks or make comments". Military is on the lead in war against coronavirus pandemic.
Dear fellow citizens, let Fear and Panic not take hold of you. All things said and done but what we all want is - to live. Regardless of our positions in the society, we all have the same desire. COVID-19 favors none. We must all work together as one. The ministers must not corrupt the money funded to fight against the virus, the medical workers including ambulance drivers must follow their duties obediently, the Police and Army officials must also work dutifully and common man should do as asked. All are responsible for their duties and must work without complaining. It is a human nature to complain but we ought to be able to control the urge at least at a time like this. This is one opportunity to earn a name in the society or to do something good for God. This is one opportunity to sacrifice something for our motherland. Let's prove our love for our motherland and our people. COVID-19 is a privilege which must be utilized.
KUKNALIM.
