COVID-19: What more can be done?

COVID-19 is devastating the world at a scale never seen before. More than a hundred thousand are dead and the figure of infected is rising towards two million. While we should realize that there been pandemics before, some of them even ended civilizations, we should also understand all such diseases recognize no social boundaries and in this era no global boundaries. The cities in most advanced countries are now desolated while shanties in the third world, suffering from over-crowding, lack of sewage and hygiene, are vulnerable to Covid-19 at the same time. While we are witnessing major changes due to social distancing in our lives, something never thought before at such a large scale, people confined to their homes and inter-city, intra-city and world travel significantly down, it cannot continue forever as gigantic efforts are being made worldwide to find a cure. Once it is done and a vaccine is also produced, the mankind will put the society and economy together again, certainly with some noteworthy changes.

Meanwhile, we have to be careful and need some more steps at the national level to come out of this situation successfully. The following are some decisions that we should take as a country and society.

Policy level decisions be implemented on priority to have visible dividends. Disjointed efforts may lead to paralysis at execution level. Flexible policy for gradual opening of industrial/ business sector be ensured in synchronization with the four provinces.

Sponsoring of domestic innovators to design new digital solutions to combat the pandemic be done. A centralized online management software, linked with private/ government hospitals be made operational at NCOC for real time forecasting of available and demanded medical supplies.

Economic sustainability versus prolonged lockdown model needs due deliberation. Inaccurate analysis may lead to stagnation and economic paralysis. Perception management strategy be formulated and implemented to deny panic and hysteria amongst the populace.

Ehsaas Programme be synergised in coordination with the provinces while due accountability must be ensured. Audit through an independent firm may be ensured. Special financial assistance must be extended to women workers especially vulnerable single mothers/ widows through fusion of existing database and input received through Provincial/ District Administration.

The SBP needs to devise mechanism to avoid public crowding at banks, especially during peak days. The federal government must request UNHCR for financial assistance of Afghan refugees to merge them in the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme on humanitarian basis. Capacity enhancement of COVID testing capability must be ensured centrally by merger of all existing healthcare infrastructures.

Zero tolerance policy must be adopted by federal/provincial governments to ensure biosafety precautions and Infectious Waste Management Disposal protocols in hospitals/quarantine/ isolation centres. Government may consider activating village committees for active awareness campaigns in remote areas.

Indigenous efforts like PakVent and conversion of water bowsers into mobile sanitization units, installation of sanitization gates and tunnels at public places are hospitals are also being carried out and should continue.

National Policy for ensuring Compulsory Vaccine Regime on its discovery must be adopted. The efforts of the federal government and its institutions such as NCC and NDMA should be cherished in delivering the Personal Protection Equipment countrywide. Delay in delivery at Quetta was mitigated by C-130s of PAF. Recovery and transportation of quarantined people safely to their homes is being well managed by the government, which is also using Pakistan Air Force aircraft.

While there are fewer deaths due to Covid-19 as compared to many countries, we should not become lax in our efforts. Restrictions imposed by the government on large gatherings and lack of social contact have had an effect on the infection rate in the country. We need preventive measures and social distancing. That comes with greater awareness and responsibility.