Name: Urnisha Ganguly

Roll No.: 25182

Sec: D
Sub: APD
Topic: Covid-19

Covid-19
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly
discovered coronavirus. Most people who fall sick with COVID-19 will
experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment.
The virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through droplets
generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or exhales. These droplets
are too heavy to hang in the air, and quickly fall on floors or surfaces. One can
be infected by breathing in the virus if you are within close proximity of
someone who has COVID-19, or by touching a contaminated surface and then
your eyes, nose or mouth.
Cases
In India total number of Confirmed cases are around 40,263, Recovered cases
around 10,887 and Deaths are around 1,306.
Worldwide confirmed cases are approx. 3.4M, Recovered around 1.1M and
Deaths around 244K.
The problem is not generic, because it demands unprecedented discipline
among the citizens and carefully crafted roadmap by the governing authorities
to contain it. The situation is very much similar to GAME Theory, even a
failure on one front can trigger its spread and as there is no cure, the only cure is
preventing its infection by self-quarantining.
For a country like India with 135 Cr. population and a majority under the
poverty line, it is a big challenge. Also, identifying the infected person who are
asymptomatic is challenging, testing on a large scale can help in identification.
Although its symptoms are similar to a flu (like SARS, MERS, Swine Flu) but
the behaviour of the virus has been found out to be very different. Therefore, it
a big concern for the healthcare professional to address the issue.
The problem we are dealing with is quite complex and large. The problem is not
merely with Corona virus containment, it is also with the after effects of this
pandemic.

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WHO suggested basic policies to prevent the spread of Covid-19 :
 Wash hands at a interval of 20 minutes
 Sanitize your hands after every 10 minutes
 Use mask
 Do not go out if not required
 Self- quarantine
 No travel
 Social distancing
 Do not touch your face, nose or mouth
 Avoid physical contact with people
 If standing in a queue maintain distance
 Sanitize all the things you use
 Visit doctor immediately if any symptom of cold or cough is determined

The major step or policy taken by WHO to prevent the spreading is Shutdown
and Lockdown in different countries depending upon number of cases. This
major step has controlled a lot.
In addition to the current problems, a wise, far-sighted and responsible
governing agency should prepare to prevent repercussion post pandemic. The
major problem that will surface post COVID 19 once the world resume its work
will be to counter the high risk of recession. According to a UN report, the
world GDP is expected to shrink by 1%, disruption to commerce, effect on
employment etc.
The major task is to find out the major problems and solutions to them. The
solution has to be implemented in short term as well as long term. In short term,
increasing test per million, arranging proper protective gear for healthcare
professionals, preparation of detailed exit plan from this pandemic, ensuring
food for poor and needy, practising strict lockdown by identification of hot-
spots to prevent spread of the virus, working on the cure to curb this disease,
preparing a backup plan to start those sectors which can work from home etc.
While, in longer run, improving the healthcare system and make it robust to
tackle any future challenges, establishing research facilities to work on cure for
such diseases, creating a system to ensure working of sectors under such
conditions in future.

Policies and actions taken by different countries to prevent Covid-19

According to World Economic Forum listed below are some policies adapted by
different countries to prevent the spreading of Covid-19:

China: At the epicentre of the outbreak, China has adopted aggressive measures

to contain the virus, including city lockdowns, travel restrictions, extending

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school breaks and closing down theatres, sporting events and other public
venues. Infection rates continue to increase, but the rate of increase has slowed.

France: The French government has advised its citizens to abandon the
customary “bise” greeting – involving kissing each other on the cheek – in a bid
to slow the spread of COVID-19. Public gatherings of more than 5,000 people
are also off limits, resulting in the cancellation of events like the Paris Half
Marathon. Following the decision, the Louvre museum in Paris closed its doors
to the public to mitigate the threat of infection posed by visitors arriving from
different parts of the world.

Iran: As the Middle East’s worst hit country, nearly 3,000 cases of COVID-19
have been reported in Iran, including more than 20 lawmakers. The country’s
parliament has been suspended indefinitely and MPs have been asked to cancel
all public meetings. Iran’s death toll is the third highest, after China and Italy,
and medical supplies are running short. Exports of face masks are banned for
three months, while Iran’s factories produce new supplies for local people.

Germany: German Health Minister Jens Spahn has declared coronavirus

a 'worldwide pandemic', something the World Health Organization has not
concluded at this point. The government has banned the export of medical
equipment, as Spahn said the virus there had not yet reached its peak.

United States: California has declared a state of emergency after the first death
in the state, which brought the U.S. death toll to 11. The move follows
Washington and Florida both declaring a state of emergency, with 10 of the
deaths in Washington State. The government is preventing entry to anyone who
has visited China in the last 14 days and has expanded testing nationwide.

Switzerland: Precautionary measures are in place in Switzerland, where

gatherings of more than 1,000 people have been banned, forcing the
cancellation of annual events like the Basel Carnival and the Geneva
International Motor Show. Interior Minister Alain Berset has also advised
against using the country’s customary three-kiss greeting.

Austria: Authorities in Austria imposed a ban on trains travelling on key

international routes to and from Italy, such as the Brenner Pass. The move
followed two suspected cases of coronavirus discovered on a train heading from
Italy to southern Germany, which later tested negative. The temporary ban has
now been lifted, allowing scheduled rail services between Austria and Italy to
resume.

Italy: Italy has shut all its schools and universities for 10 days, as the

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government also banned public conferences and cultural events to curb the
spread of the virus, which has already killed more than 100 people. Some towns
in northern Italy’s Lombardy region are in lockdown. Restaurants and
businesses are closed, threatening to plunge the country into recession.

Hong Kong: Hong Kong’s border with mainland China has been closed,
preventing visitors from entering the territory. Without the throng of global
tourists that usually flock to Hong Kong, the economy has been hit hard.
Schools are closed until April, and many flights in and out have been restricted
or cancelled. Hong Kong's recently unveiled budget included a
government payment of more than $1,200 for each resident to help ease the
economic pain.

Japan: Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called for all elementary, middle
and high schools to close until late March, impacting millions of students. The
threat posed by the virus could jeopardize the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, due
to be held in the summer, although no decision to cancel the event has been
announced.

South Korea: South Korea has the most cases of any nation outside of China.
Strict self-isolation requirements are in force throughout the country, with fines
or a potential prison sentence awaiting anyone found violating the rules.After
military personnel tested positive for the disease, planned annual joint military
exercises with US forces have been put on hold.

Singapore: The island state was quick to restrict the movements of anyone who
recently travelled to China or parts of South Korea. Strict hospital and home
quarantine rules have been imposed. A text and web-based solution was
launched in February, requiring people under home quarantine restrictions to
report their whereabouts to the government.

Saudi Arabia: No coronavirus cases have been detected in Saudi Arabia, but
there have been some in regional neighbours like Kuwait and
Bahrain. Authorities have barred entry to the kingdom for foreign pilgrims from
25 countries, preventing visits to Islam’s two holiest sites – Mecca and Medina.

United Arab Emirates: Ferry services between the UAE and Iran have been
suspended and all commercial ships must provide health statements for crew
members 72 hours before arriving in the country’s busy ports.

India: The Indian government has so far followed a step-by-step model and

been on the front foot with early screening at airports from mid-January

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onwards, initiating travel restrictions and in collaboration with states,
applying restrictions on events and on places of social gathering including
restaurants, theatres and gyms. Such a response ensured that there was no panic
among the citizens and avoided inconvenience to the extent possible. The Indian
government has also evacuated more than 1400 of its citizens and those of its
neighbours from high-risk countries, including China, Japan, Iran and Italy.
This is not the first time that India has evacuated its citizens and those of other
countries during such crises to ensure their safety and security.

Equally noteworthy are the various public awareness campaigns. Prime Minister
Modi has shown leadership in mobilizing the heads of government of the South
Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and that of the G20 to
share reliable information, best practices and support each other in fighting this
pandemic.

Yet there is still much more to be done to improve health response systems and
boost the economy.

Currently, India has completed among the lowest tests per million population.
The limited testing capability in India for COVID-19, led primarily by the apex
laboratory at the National Institute of Virology at Pune, has now been extended
to 52 viral research and diagnostic laboratories spread across the country. The
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) only recently allowed private labs
to test, but it is unclear whether even 48 hours after such an order, private labs
began testing. The government should also facilitate the regulatory environment
to empower Indian firms to produce test kits. South Korea has been an example,
with companies producing test kits in a little over two weeks compared to
months.

The government will need to take steps to protect those most vulnerable to
COVID-19, such as those with prior conditions or without insurance. Italy’s
National Health Authority this week stated that more than 99 percent of Italy’s
coronavirus fatalities were people who suffered from previous medical
conditions: more than 75% had high blood pressure, about 35% had diabetes
and a third suffered from heart disease. The scope of Ayushman Bharat, India’s
flagship insurance/assurance scheme launched with the vision of universal
healthcare and leaving no one behind, should be expanded to include the 40%
‘missing middle’ who are neither covered by private insurance nor by the
government, so that any COVID-19-related expenses are covered by the
government.

There is also a pressing need for economic measures to stabilize and stimulate
the economy and protect people’s jobs and livelihoods. According to the
International Labour Organization, COVID-19 could render 25 million people
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unemployed and many more underemployed by virtue of reduced wages and
working hours. This is especially critical in India where a large part of the
population is either self-employed or dependent on daily wages for their
subsistence.

Given India’s infrastructure around direct benefits transfer (DBT), the Modi
government could consider depositing cash on a monthly basis for the
foreseeable future. This would ensure the poor can take care of their basic needs
and help stimulate demand in the Indian economy. Many countries, including
Canada and the United States, have announced economic measures for
individuals and businesses, and India could take inspiration from those. This is
especially true for the urban poor and here the Jan Dhan accounts could be a
good opportunity to transfer cash. With over 150 million beneficiaries with
accounts in urban bank branches, such a transfer can reach a large segment of
this population. Equally, the government currently has over 430 schemes that
use DBT and can be targeted to reach specific groups such as pensioners,
bereaved and unemployed, among others.

An important consideration is the harvest season for the Rabi crops due in the
next 2-5 weeks. This is a sensitive population given the already distressed
farmers. The government will need to balance the economic impact of any
potential curb in farming and the heath and societal impact of a spread of the
coronavirus pandemic.

This unique situation also presents a case for stronger alignment between
India’s monetary and fiscal policy. As has been the case with other G-20
economies such as Australia, the government can use this opportunity to work
closely with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to ensure that the necessary fiscal
stimulus is supported by further loosening of monetary policy. This can provide
necessary bandwidth to both corporate India as well as retail borrowers.

The government must also continue to ensure constant, consistent and credible
communication to provide necessary public health guidance and to allay any
fears and panic among the populace. A good example of such a communication
is in the state of Kerala, which successfully managed the Nipah virus in 2018.
Here the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Health Minister K.K. Shailaja
have been giving a press conference every day at 7 pm to update and educate
the state’s citizens. In many ways, Kerala is a benchmark in pandemic
preparedness and action and other states can emulate its successful ways.

One such example of real-time and dynamic updates on India's response to

COVID-19 is Invest India's Business Immunity Platform. This unified platform
can bring together the public and private sector to fight this pandemic.

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This pandemic will likely highlight our state capacity or the gaps in it. From
trained medical professionals to managing the scale of COVID-19 to the ability
of the state to manage a crisis through a multi-ministry/department in an
integrated way.

If I were the leader of the country I would have implemented the following
steps:

 Extend the lockdown and full shutdown in some states like Maharashtra,
Delhi NCR, Tamil Nadu etc., where the number of cases are more.
 Distribute free Sanitizers and Face Mask
 Request CMs of every state to cooperate, coordinate and provide relevant
and true data.
 A regular weekly meeting has to be conducted
 The formula for counting active cases and deaths by Covid-19 was to be
revised.
 Home delivery of necessities to every household despite income level.

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