9/27/2020 [Editorial Notes] The COVID-19 paradox in South Asia | IASToppers

 (/)  (HTTPS://WA.ME/00919023077408)

MAINS 2020 (HTTPS://WWW.IASTOPPERS.COM/CATEGORY/MAINS-2020/)

EDITORIAL NOTES (HTTPS://WWW.IASTOPPERS.COM/CATEGORY/EDITORIAL-SIMPLIFIED/)

A AA

Editorial Notes
[Editorial Notes] The COVID-19 paradox in South Asia
It is surprising that South Asia has far fewer infections and deaths compared with North America and Western
Europe.

By IASToppers
April 24, 2020

(?wpfpaction=add&postid=49022) 0 Comments

Contents
Introduction
Why South Asia has less infection and death than Western countries?
A possible hypothesis
Impact of lockdowns on Lives and livelihoods
Conclusion

The COVID-19 paradox in South Asia

For IASToppers’ Editorial Simplified Archive, click here (https://www.iastoppers.com/category/editorial-simplified/)

Introduction

Income per capita in South Asia is just 16% that of the world, and a
mere 4% of that in industrialised countries. 
One-third of the world’s poor live in South Asia, so absolute poverty is
high and nutrition levels are low.

https://www.iastoppers.com/editorial-notes-the-covid-19-paradox-in-south-asia/ 1/12
9/27/2020 [Editorial Notes] The COVID-19 paradox in South Asia | IASToppers

Population density in the subcontinent is among the highest in the

world.
The poor, who live cheek by jowl in urban slums and in cramped spaces
in rural areas, are most susceptible to a virus that is contagious. Public
health systems and facilities are perhaps the worst in the world.
In spite of such situation, compared with North America, Western
Europe and East Asia, or their own population size, the number of
infection.

Why South Asia has less infection and death than Western
countries?

 Past experience of the Spanish influenza in 1918, when India accounted for 18-20 million of the estimated 50 million
deaths in the world would have led to the opposite conclusion.

There are two possible explanations:

Not enough testing

First, the total number of infections in south Asia is almost certainly

underestimated, as testing has been nowhere near enough, given the
scarcity of testing kits and the massive size of populations.

Lockdowns

Second, the lockdowns imposed by governments in India, Bangladesh,

Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal, have clearly made a difference.
https://www.iastoppers.com/editorial-notes-the-covid-19-paradox-in-south-asia/ 2/12
9/27/2020 [Editorial Notes] The COVID-19 paradox in South Asia | IASToppers

The lockdown in India is perhaps among the most stringent in the world.
The common purpose was to break the chain of transmission through
physical distancing, which has two dimensions.
For one, it confined people to their homes. But this created physical
distancing only for the privileged living in homes that have spaces and
doors. It was impossible for migrant workers where they lived in
cramped spaces.
For another, it meant that people could not move within cities or across
States. It did strangle potential chains of community transmission,
reducing the geographical spread of the virus through contagion, and
flattening the curve.

A possible hypothesis
However, other countries which have imposed lockdowns, say in Western Europe, with public health systems that are
far superior, have not managed to slow down the spread in the number of infections as much.

It has been suggested that countries which have mandatory BCG

vaccinations against tuberculosis are less susceptible to COVID-19
morbidity and mortality. Compare, for example, Spain and Portugal.
On April 20, Spain had 20,500 deaths, whereas the Portugal had 700
deaths. BCG vaccinations are mandatory in Portugal but not in Spain.
BCG vaccine seems to have a stimulating effect on the immune
system that goes well beyond tuberculosis. For that reason, perhaps,
some countries are running trials of BCG against COVID-19. In South
Asian countries, universal BCG vaccination is mandatory, while
immune systems of people have a lifelong exposure to malaria.

https://www.iastoppers.com/editorial-notes-the-covid-19-paradox-in-south-asia/ 3/12
9/27/2020 [Editorial Notes] The COVID-19 paradox in South Asia | IASToppers

These could provide possible explanations for the relatively limited

spread of COVID-19 in South Asia so far.

Impact of lockdowns on Lives and livelihoods

Obviously, lockdowns have also mitigated the spread. In doing so, they
have saved lives, but at the same time, they have also taken away
livelihoods.
In South Asian countries, almost 90% of the workforce is made up of
the self-employed, casual labour on daily wages, and informal workers
without any social protection.
The lockdowns have meant that hundreds of millions of people who
have lost their jobs, hence incomes, have been deprived of their
livelihoods.
This impose a disproportionate burden on the poor and those who
survive just above the poverty line. For them, the trade-off between
getting sick and going hungry is no choice.

Conclusion
On April 20, the total number of infections in US is 21.7% of the world total while it is 0.33% for India. As of now, South
Asia, with a share of 23.4% in world population, accounted for 1.25% of infections and 0.5% of COVID-19 deaths in the
world.

This shows effective steps taken by south Asian countries to slow down the spread of COVID-19.

However, it is plausible to argue that, South Asian countries are in the early stages where community transmission has
not gathered momentum. An explosive growth in infection numbers could yet surface later.
https://www.iastoppers.com/editorial-notes-the-covid-19-paradox-in-south-asia/ 4/12
9/27/2020 [Editorial Notes] The COVID-19 paradox in South Asia | IASToppers

Hence, it is time for South Asia to start investing in strengthening the public health system.  Any aspirations for an
increase in GDP allocation should be prioritised for the public health system, towards preventing diseases and promoting
health. 

(httpa://targetcivils.iastoppers.com/)

Topics Mains 2020 (https://www.iastoppers.com/category/mains-2020/) Editorial Notes

(https://www.iastoppers.com/category/editorial-simpli ed/)

Tags

Share Facebook

Twitter

Google+

WhatsApp

RELATED POSTS

September 27, 2020

[Answer PDF] [Test-8] All India OPEN Prelims GS Test 2020 (https://www.iastoppers.com/answer-pdf-test-8-all-india-open-prelims-gs-
test-2020/)

(https://www.iastoppers.com/answer-pdf-test-8-all-india-open-prelims-gs-test-2020/)

Read Story (https://www.iastoppers.com/answer-pdf-test-8-all-india-open-prelims-gs-test-2020/)

September 26, 2020

[Test-9] All India OPEN Prelims GS Test 2020 (https://www.iastoppers.com/test-9-all-india-open-prelims-gs-test-2020/)

https://www.iastoppers.com/editorial-notes-the-covid-19-paradox-in-south-asia/ 5/12
9/27/2020 [Editorial Notes] The COVID-19 paradox in South Asia | IASToppers

(https://www.iastoppers.com/test-9-all-india-open-prelims-gs-test-2020/)

Read Story (https://www.iastoppers.com/test-9-all-india-open-prelims-gs-test-2020/)

September 26, 2020

Prelims Booster 2020 Flash Cards Set-18 [Current] (https://www.iastoppers.com/prelims-booster-2020- ash-cards-set-18-current/)

(https://www.iastoppers.com/prelims-booster-2020- ash-cards-set-18-current/)

Read Story (https://www.iastoppers.com/prelims-booster-2020- ash-cards-set-18-current/)

https://www.iastoppers.com/editorial-notes-the-covid-19-paradox-in-south-asia/ 6/12
9/27/2020 [Editorial Notes] The COVID-19 paradox in South Asia | IASToppers

(/lakshya-75-for-ias-prelims-2020-
schedule-details/)
Download Now>> (/lakshya-75-for-ias-prelims-

2020-schedule-details/)

STAY CONNECTED

Sign up for our Daily Updates

JOIN US

Telegram Twitter

(https://t.me/iastopperstargetcivils)
(https://twitter.com/IASToppers_UPSC)

RSS (/feed) Linkedin

(https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivekkumar-

joshi-

109581129)

Instagram

(https://www.instagram.com/iastoppers/)

COMMENTS

 · weeks ago
2
6th August 2020 Daily Current
(https://www.iastoppers.com/6th-
PreQuiz
august-2020-daily-current-
Raju Lula (https://disqus.com/by/joker00007/)
prequiz/#comment-5060764525)

(https://disqus.com/by/joker00007/)
Results
5 of 5 questions answered correctly
Your time: 00:01:31

 · weeks ago
2
8th August 2020 Daily Current
(https://www.iastoppers.com/8th-
PreQuiz
august-2020-daily-current-
Raju Lula (https://disqus.com/by/joker00007/)
prequiz/#comment-5060755584)

(https://disqus.com/by/joker00007/)
Results
4 of 5 questions answered correctly
Your time: 00:01:53

 · weeks ago
3
22nd August 2020 Daily Current
(https://www.iastoppers.com/22nd-
PreQuiz
https://www.iastoppers.com/editorial-notes-the-covid-19-paradox-in-south-asia/ 9/12
9/27/2020 [Editorial Notes] The COVID-19 paradox in South Asia | IASToppers
august-2020-daily-current-
Raju Lula (https://disqus.com/by/joker00007/)

prequiz/#comment-5057485372)

(https://disqus.com/by/joker00007/)
Results
4 of 5 questions answered correctly

Your time: 00:02:59

CALENDAR ARCHIVE

September 2020
M T W T

1 2 3
 
(https://www.iastoppers.com/2020/09/01/) (https://www.iastoppers.com/2020/09/02/) (https://www.iastoppers.com/2020/09/03

7 8 9 10

(https://www.iastoppers.com/2020/09/07/) (https://www.iastoppers.com/2020/09/08/) (https://www.iastoppers.com/2020/09/09/) (https://www.iastoppers.com/2020/09/10

14 15 16 17

(https://www.iastoppers.com/2020/09/14/) (https://www.iastoppers.com/2020/09/15/) (https://www.iastoppers.com/2020/09/16/) (https://www.iastoppers.com/2020/09/17

21 22 23 24

(https://www.iastoppers.com/2020/09/21/) (https://www.iastoppers.com/2020/09/22/) (https://www.iastoppers.com/2020/09/23/) (https://www.iastoppers.com/2020/09/24

28 29 30

« Aug (https://www.iastoppers.com/2020/08/)  

IASTOPPERS' TARGET IAS TOPPER 2020 PROGRAMME

Features of Target IAS Topper 2020 - Click Here (https://pro.iastoppers.com/feature)

INFORMATION

About Us (https://www.iastoppers.com/about-us/)

My Favourite Articles (https://www.iastoppers.com/favourite-articles/)

Buy Books (https://www.iastoppers.com/buy-books-3/)

Terms & Conditions (https://www.iastoppers.com/terms-conditions/)

Privacy Policy (https://www.iastoppers.com/privacy-policy/)

Contact Us (https://www.iastoppers.com/contact-us/)

TOPICS

Strategy 2020 (https://www.iastoppers.com/category/strategy/)

Current Affairs Analysis (https://www.iastoppers.com/category/current-affairs-analysis/)

PreQuiz 2019 (https://www.iastoppers.com/category/prequiz/)

Mains Articles (https://www.iastoppers.com/category/mains-articles/)

Editorial Notes (https://www.iastoppers.com/category/editorial-simplified/)

Mind Maps (https://www.iastoppers.com/category/mind-maps/)

Flash Cards (https://www.iastoppers.com/category/flash-cards/)

Video Summary (https://www.iastoppers.com/category/video-summary/)

https://www.iastoppers.com/editorial-notes-the-covid-19-paradox-in-south-asia/ 10/12
9/27/2020 [Editorial Notes] The COVID-19 paradox in South Asia | IASToppers

Gist of Magazines (https://www.iastoppers.com/category/quintessence-of-magazines/)

Debate of the Week (https://www.iastoppers.com/category/debate-of-the-week/)

Essay (https://www.iastoppers.com/category/essay/)

Downloads (https://www.iastoppers.com/category/downloads/)

Motivation (https://www.iastoppers.com/category/motivation/)

Download (https://www.iastoppers.com/category/e-store/)

Latest Posts (https://www.iastoppers.com/category/latest-posts/)

Target IAS Topper 2018 (https://www.iastoppers.com/category/target-ias-topper-2018-programme/)

Subscribe Now (https://targetcivils.iastoppers.com/subscribe/)

(https://pro.iastoppers.com/)

Copyright © 2019 IASToppers. All Rights Reserved.

https://www.iastoppers.com/editorial-notes-the-covid-19-paradox-in-south-asia/ 11/12
9/27/2020 [Editorial Notes] The COVID-19 paradox in South Asia | IASToppers

COMMENTS

Sponsored

14 Of The Most Beautiful Women In History

Novelodge

40 Movies That Are Considered To Be Almost Flawless

Tip Parents

30 Wedding Photos That Went Horribly Wrong

Gloriousa

These Are the Most Stunning Women of Hollywood

Gadgetheory

Actresses Who Look Really Different From Their On-Screen Characters

Dailyforest

What Do The Bond Girls Look Like After Their Famous Movies
Articles Vally

The Most Expensive Planes The Military Has Ever Commissioned

H i ti

What do you think?

0 Responses

Upvote Funny Love Surprised Angry

Sad

0 Comments IAS Toppers 🔒 Disqus' Privacy Policy 

1 Login

 Recommend t Tweet f Share Sort by Best

Start the discussion…

LOG IN WITH
OR SIGN UP WITH DISQUS ?

Name

Be the first to comment.

https://www.iastoppers.com/editorial-notes-the-covid-19-paradox-in-south-asia/ 7/12
9/27/2020 [Editorial Notes] The COVID-19 paradox in South Asia | IASToppers

https://www.iastoppers.com/editorial-notes-the-covid-19-paradox-in-south-asia/ 12/12
9/27/2020 [Editorial Notes] The COVID-19 paradox in South Asia | IASToppers

Sponsored

Real Estate Prices in Las Vegas Might Surprise You

Las Vegas Real Estate | Search Ads

Jobs In UK That Pay Bangladesh To Work From Home?

Work From Home in the UK | Search Ads

How to Watch The All Greatest Sports Events In One Place

watch-it-now.com

Play this Game for 1 Minute and see why everyone is addicted

IT ON FACEBOOK

IASTop…
185K likes

Like Page

Be the first of your friends

to like this

ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2019 (SUCCESSHATTRICK-83-

QUESTIONS-IASTOPPERS-UPSC-CSE-PRELIMS-2019/)

(successhattrick-83-questions-
iastoppers-upsc-cse-prelims-2019/)
(successhattrick-83-questions-
iastoppers-upsc-cse-prelims-2019/)
(successhattrick-83-questions-iastoppers-upsc-

cse-prelims-2019/)

See Details>> (successhattrick-83-questions-

iastoppers-upsc-cse-prelims-2019/)

LAKSHYA-75 SCHEDULE (/LAKSHYA-75-FOR-IAS-

PRELIMS-2020-SCHEDULE-DETAILS/)

https://www.iastoppers.com/editorial-notes-the-covid-19-paradox-in-south-asia/ 8/12