Ever since the global pandemic of Covid 19 has hit the world, a lot has changed. It has affected every aspect of human life across the globe, from the global economy and millions have been badly hit. More than 2 million people have died and over 20 million have been affected due to this deadly outbreak. Many countries have declared restrictive measures, such as lockdown, shelter in place, or stay at home orders, to contain the pandemic at a local level.
However, the wildly differing responses and response timelines have left people wondering if authorities failed to take the situation seriously early on when they could have done more to slow down the spread of the corona virus. China appeared to manage the corona virus outbreak effectively, putting in place early travel bans within the country itself. As early as January 23, 2020 Chinese authorities declared a nationwide travel ban, which, some experts suggest, may have averted over millions COVID-19 cases within the country. But since then this virus has spread to all corners of the world and certain regions have been badly hit than other.
Hospitals are over flowing with patients, economy is crumbling, and job losses are increasing at a catastrophic rate. We are living in a world which has been suffering from covidisation and its impacts are in the form of medical, economic, social problems. COVID-19 has rapidly affected our day to day life, businesses, disrupted the world trade and movements. Identification of the disease at an early stage is vital to control the spread of the virus because it very rapidly spreads from person to person.
Most of the countries have slowed down their manufacturing of the products. The various industries and sectors that are affected by the cause of this disease; these include the pharmaceuticals industry, solar power sector, tourism, Information and electronics industry. This virus creates significant knock-on effects on the daily life of citizens, as well as about the global economy. The government banned all travel in the country, and people could only leave their homes for essential reasons — such as to buy food. When going out, people had to carry declaration forms and wear face masks and disposable gloves. But as we have moved forward restrictions have been eased and it has resulted in a massive surge of corona. It has been close to a year since we have been hit by this deadly virus but we still are far away from conquering it.
More than 100000 cases per day across the globe and thousands of deaths have exposed our preparation and more importantly our healthcare network. Covid 19 has impacted the basic functionality of human life and its results are catastrophic. The sense of isolation and despondency felt strongly by patients with COVID-19 (or, for that matter, any other person who is ill of a communicable disease that requires protective isolation in a healthcare facility) is not uncommon.
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The isolation is real, although different patients perceive and cope with physical, social, psychological seclusion in different ways. Modern electronic communication systems have provided much needed mental relief and may facilitate early physical and social rehabilitation. COVID-19 patients also suffer from the social stigma surrounding the disease that manifests in different ways depending on the status of the affected or the care provider. This makes the patient reluctant to go back to the community during the infected stage.
This could be due to genuine concern about infecting other family members, or due to society’s apathy towards those infected. COVID-19 has had a massive impact on health and healthcare; its effects are variable across sectors For example, social distancing, self-isolation and travel restrictions have led to a reduced workforce across all economic sectors and the loss of jobs. Schools have closed down, and the need for commodities and manufactured products has decreased. In contrast, the need for medical supplies has significantly increased.
The food sector is facing increased demand due to panic-buying and stockpiling of food .we also need take into the consideration of the psyological impact of the covid. Individuals especially those who have been infected need to properly rehabilitated and taken care of. The people who have suffered due to it have narrated horrible stories of dejection, depression, segregation and much more. At a personal level people need to take care of and the challenges associated with it have to manage. If we look at the larger picture of this scenario we can understand that humans by and large are not prepared for a pandemic of such magnitude and human psyche has a tendency to forget things as we move forward. When the world was hit by Spanish flu it should have an eye opener and a warning for what may come in future. Our negligence of the past and our lack of preparedness have now made a miserable place to live.
Even as the world has already seen medical emergencies in earlier eras (e.g. the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic), COVID-19 represents a watershed event. In the age of internet, social media, and instant transcontinental communication and mass transportation, COVID-19 is one of its kinds, given the degree and swiftness of its spread. It is occurring in an age when the global economy is more integrated than ever before, and people, goods, money and ideas move faster than they have ever done. Consequently, the effect of a microbial disease with intercontinental spread and fatal potential has affected society more than at any time in the past.
Author can be reached at jibranmalik058@gmail.com
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