Engendering solidarity 

Nagaland officially reported its first COVID-19 cases with three persons testing positive for the virus on May 25. According to the State Health officials, these cases are not local but ‘imported’ referring to the returnees from various states outside Nagaland.


It was likely that there could be positive cases in the state with the arrival of stranded citizens from outside as has been the case with other neighbouring states.


 Thereafter, a health official had informed that the state is taking up aggressive surveillance, treatment protocols and measures to take care of the returnees.  The official had categorically stated the importance of maintaining calm, cooperation and non-stigmatisation of patients. 


Earlier, the general public were on complete panic when a patient from Dimapur had tested positive for COVID-19 while undergoing treatment in Guwahati, Assam. With the news of three more positive cases in the state there could be panic and chaos in the state.


As such the Chief Minister, Deputy CM and Health and Family Welfare Minister on Monday had appealed citizens to refrain from panicking. The trio had also expressed commitment to tackle the crisis responsibly and with care. 


As cases unfold within the state’s vicinity, the ‘real' challenge begins, and this calls for stringent and strategic measures. The parameter to determine how rapidly and decisively the crisis is tackled depends on the response and actions from all stakeholders.


First and foremost is to respond to the situation calmly, adopt relevant safety protocols, refrain from stigmatisation, and stand in solidarity with fellow citizens and those on the frontline, while being wary of misinformation. 


Notwithstanding the current apprehension and scepticism with the government agencies, curtailing their seamless operation and restricting movement of frontline workers at the crucial juncture would prove detrimental in the fight against the pandemic.   


UN Secretary-General António Guterres had also opined that COVID-19 is no longer a public health crisis, but an “economic crisis.  A social crisis.  And a human crisis that is fast becoming a human rights crisis” and this calls for renewed solidarity and cooperation.


More than anything else, in the case of Nagaland, a ‘pandemic solidarity’ imperative, and this in turn could engender systematic changes to steer the state into a new direction.  Essential triggers to enable commitment to solidarity are empathy and trust. This applies to both state apparatus as well as the citizens. 


Empathy here, while describing a wide range of experiences, is understood in terms of the ability to identify and put oneself in other people’s emotions or circumstances. Trust implies ‘firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something’ as well as the commitment to such action. 


As one tackle with the new reality unfolding both within and outside the state, empathising with one another could prove a long way in tackling the crisis cohesively and sensitively.


To this, faith-based and social organisations, as WHO suggests, could act ‘primary source of support, comfort, guidance, and direct health care and social service, for the communities they serve.’


The concern as to how will the state government encourage citizens to commit to solidarity needs to be taken forward. As United Nations rightly noted, the essence of building in trust in institutions is “grounded in responsive, responsible, evidence-based governance and leadership.” 


The pandemic is an opportunity to build trust, or strengthen the same. Collective effort with solidarity at this juncture is the pressing priority of current times.