blog-thecoronacommunique

[blog-thecoronacommunique]

(20/20)

For my final post on the Coronavirus pandemic, I wanted to shed some light on what the future would look like post the pandemic and post-lockdown times.

This article discusses hypothesis of experts in the field of technology, medicine, politics and economics. Predictions suggest a surge in the use of technology and strengthening of that field in the coming times as the ‘analog’ world has been broken because of this crisis. Economically, a more capitalist model can be expected where every country is on its own and have liberal rights be suppressed for exchange of security; and there would be reduced international cooperation. If the current global scenario is any indication, smaller nations are expected to go into states of chaos. On a more personal level, people will notice a change in their ways of living, since we are all victims of habits, and a lot of these habits are changing owing to the extensive lockdowns. On a personal level again, the pandemic has challenged people’s religious beliefs with the banning of large religious gatherings etc. and this could possibly change people’s religious affiliations in the near future. Above all, there is hopes for better health-care delivery in all countries, considering the audits that these countries have been facing due to this health-crisis. 

Irrespective of what direction the world takes within the next one to five years, something that wouldn’t change is the inequality within the societies. Marginalized communities across the world are expected to fall at a greater disadvantage amongst the privileged ones in their respective countries. If anything, I’m hopeful that the plausible increased global trade and second-look at social policies would help reduce the inequality between under-developed, developing and developed countries. 

[blog-thecoronacommunique]

To blame or not to blame...?

(19/20)

Just when we thought we were approaching peaceful times, the novel coronavirus pandemic took over the world. 

Word on the street is, this is just China’s ploy to become a superpower and that the COVID-19 is a bio-weapon unleashed onto the world to defeat every nation without a war. The current US president thinks so, and says it out loud-- blaming it all on China for causing the “China Virus.”

These speculations arise from several different instances. To name a few, the fast turn-around time for China to treat all its Corona Virus cases in Wuhan, the containment of the virus in just a few cities and the failure of Chinese testing kits exported to other countries, have all contributed to the rise of this speculation. For the past few weeks, it’s been a blame game between nations, with most fingers pointing towards China. With all these debates around the virus, significant discrimination has been occurring against Chinese people around the world, as well as a lot of ugly comments are being passed at people with a communist approach of politics. 

My views regarding this matter is that of a general citizen of the world. I am not concerned with which country started the pandemic ( I believe no one did on purpose) but I want the government to act in order to contain the problem instead of playing the blame game. Arrange for more testing and treatment instead of blaming other countries and fighting. 

It’s no time to blame each other, it is time for action! Stop the blame game, please?

Pic. courtesy: latestly.com

[blog-thecoronacommunique]

(18/20)

“.....the positive impact of diversity in all its iterations, is particularly powerful as we come together as a team to consider larger issues (here. COVID-19) that directly impact financial performance....” - Lloyd W. Howell, Jr.

Companies are being forced to make important financial decisions with very little time to go over all impacts of their decisions, owing to the novel coronavirus pandemic. And in such situations, the presence of diversity and practice of inclusion offers fresh perspectives and helps in analysing a wider range of issues and impacts. Diverse perspectives also allows for more equitable decisions and more conscious as well as sensitive decision making.

[blog-thecoronacommunique]

(17/20)

We are all consciously realising the terrible impacts that this global pandemic has been having on our social lives-- the lockdown and all the social distancing has really affected humans.

But, the coronavirus has a significant effect on rescue and pet animals too! While the pet animals who are captivated into small homes with their humans seem to appreciate the extra time with their owners, they are certainly struggling with the limited mobility space. More so, rescue animals are the “forgotten victims” as adoption rates have gone down severely. People are social-distancing, and a lot of people are also in financial duress due to the loss of jobs and in turn are not engaging in adoptions. Shelters are stretched too thin in taking care of all the rescue animals as the government subsidies and grants do not cover costs for feeding animals.

[blog-thecoronacommunique]

(16/20)

The ongoing pandemic has had a HUGE impact on college going students. The issues caused are all big and small. From having fun family vacations getting cancelled to having summer internship opportunities rescinded for almost all students! Even worse, online classes! Oof. There’s only so many hours one can interact with a computer screen, but thanks to the novel virus, its all day, everyday for us college kids now. But hey, this wasn’t enough. Most unfortunate are the students graduating college and schools this year with no commencement ceremonies or a name-sake “zoom commencement”

In short, we are dependent on zoom for everything, from academics to social gatherings. But hey, at least this is from the comfort of our homes. 

I want to take a moment to reflect on the struggles of students studying abroad, international students in the US. Students who are away from their home countries and unable to return. I was lucky enough to take the last flight back to my home country, but my friends, and thousands of other students are stuck in foreign countries. Some, barely able to make ends meet and others struggling to find sanity in their tiny dorm rooms all alone. In a way, these students are minorities and thanks to the system, they receive barely any resources from the government, especially in the United States. It’s time we realise that while these struggles have been going unobserved, the students living in a foreign country, through this pandemic are suffering- emotionally and perhaps financially too.

[blog-thecoronacommunique]

(15/20)

Artists take in the world around them and then create art with it. But now that the world is facing these testing times, they’ve been locked into their houses. 

What will be their creative outlet?

We are no alien to Banksy’s street art, but now that he can’t go out into the streets, he is making do with the walls available to him. His Bathroom! While, Banksy took his time to create uninteresting art work of rats infesting his bathroom, someone painted a clinical mask over his famous “Girl with a pierced eardrum” street art in West London! 

On the other hand, artists like Ai Wei Wei and Damien Hirst have taken to social media to create some continuously growing-live art. Ai Wei Wei is doing a series of screenshots of his video-calls to highlight daily life in these testing times. There are also artists like Shepard Fairey who’ve been taking the time to focus on traditional art forms to pay tribute to the health-care workers and spread awareness about the pandemic!

[blog-thecoronacommunique]

(14/20)

I read a few interesting op-ed pieces on The Guardian today, one of those is posted above.^

Its interesting how different celebrities have been reacting very differently to this  global pandemic. One would expect the rich and famous to use their wealth to contribute to the aid-funds for the pandemic, and use their fame to spread awareness. But, hey, not all celebrities are doing that. Some (read: most) celebrities have been posting work-out videos and fun quarantine activities on their social media, from the comfort of their multi-million homes and rose petal filled bathtubs (we see you #Madonna!). And others are trying to tell their followers that “We will get through this together” when they’re cooking fancy food at home and their followers are struggling to find food everyday and losing their daily jobs. Great use of their wealth and fame, isn’t it?

Only few, very few like Ellen, Tom Hanks, Justin Bieber and Ryan Reynolds, have been taking actual action against the coronavirus pandemic by donating to the COVID-19 aid-funds, some of the other “sensitive” celebrities have been going the extra mile and offering to make grocery runs and bring supply to their followers (Go #Britney Spears!). A few singers and performers even came together to host an in-home live concert to combat corona virus, in an attempt to replicate the 1985 We are the World concert. I would still say this was a decent effort when compared to the thoughtless tweets that the very woke Vanessa Hudgens has been blessing the world with. 

In conclusion, I am surprised and disappointed to see the attention-crazy acts that the celebrities have been pulling to stay afloat now that a virus has taken over their fame. If anything, it can only be a call of plea asking the rich and famous to be more considerate of their followers. Be aware that in this capitalist world, they have the wealth that could help thousands of other people, and use it wisely. 

[blog-thecoronacommunique]

Who has it affected most?

Graphic: visualcapitalist.com

(13/20)

“As humans have spread across the world, so have infectious diseases. “

From the Antoine Plague and Black Death to Swine Flu and Corona Virus more recently, pandemics around the world have wiped out several societies. 

The more historic pandemics took over at a time where there were clear class differences in the society; and as you may expect, the common man and poorer people died while most kings and rulers survived it. During those times, there was already a lack of treatment methods and the commoners wouldn't have access to any form of it and hence the greater vulnerability to death due to the pandemics. 

Unfortunately, much hasn’t changed since. 

Even for the more recent Pandemics such as Spanish flu, Asian Flu, Swine flu and now the Corona Virus, the communities most vulnerable are the poorer nations and further the underprivileged communities of these countries. Why? Because there is no access to testing, and worse, there is no access to basic resources for the underprivileged classes and minorities, especially in developing and under-developed countries.

This disproportion of services has been in practice for centuries now, and are more evident during times of crises such as the one we are living through now. 

[blog-thecoronacommunique]

(12/20)

A few days ago, all the Penn State Student Governments released a joint statement condemning discrimination against Asian students on campus because of the coronavirus outbreak. 

Since, the root of this disease is in China, a lot of Chinese students and asian students otherwise as well as students returning from study-abroad from affected countries, have been victims of bias, prejudiced action and discrimination by their fellow peers here at Penn State. 

This certainly was a big step in the right direction by Penn State student leaders! 

Such prejudiced actions are been seeing across the United States, not just at Penn State. Even though the pandemic affects all communities, some communities have had to carry the majority weight of it while also being blamed for something they haven’t caused. This is really sad and must be addressed as soon as possible, not just on small scales but on a higher level by the US administration as well.

[blog-thecoronacommunique]

(11/20)

Earth Day updates of Corona Virus! 

While there are positive environmental changes due to the corona virus lockdown, there are several negative impacts too. 

As stated by the United Nations conference on Trade and Development, not all environmental impacts of the coronavirus crisis is positive. Some negative impacts include:

1. Emerging waste disposal problems as a lot of municipalities have suspended recycling activities.

2. Resumed use of plastic bags over health concerns related to contamination due to re-using paper bags.

3. Protected species at risk, as in many countries environmental protection workers are required to stay at home.

These are amongst the many emerging negative environmental impacts of the corona virus outbreak

[blog-thecoronacommunique]

(10/20)

Happy Earth Day, folks! 

Since its Earth day today, I decided to talk about the environmental impacts of corona virus! Fortunately-- the lockdown has been having a positive impact on Earth. 

Starting with better air quality, increased visibility to more liberated wildlife, in all, Earth is greener and happier when all the humans are locked up in their houses. 

[blog-thecoronacommunique]

(9/20)

What I've been missing the most during the lockdown is yummy chocolaty desserts! 

Check out these recipes for quick easy-to-make desserts from around the world. 

[blog-thecoronacommunique]

(8/20) 

Huge step by IRS! Stimulus cheques worth $1200 to all eligible residents. 

Check your IRS website to take actions in order to receive your stimulus cheque. 

[blog-thecoronacommunique]

(7/20) 

A 60-day immigration was imposed through Trump’s executive order. This prevents all permanent workers seeking a green card, and not temporary workers. The reason for this was to “help put unemployed Americans first in line for jobs as America reopens – so important” while avoiding foreign competition. 

This, is definitely beneficial for American citizens, but I can’t help but wonder the impact of this on foreign immigrants who are also losing their jobs due to the pandemic! With the lack of jobs and a Green card when America reopens, will compel these immigrants to return to their home country, no matter the expense and conditions of the same.

Makes me question the definition of “Equity and inclusivity”!?

[blog-thecoronacommunique]

(6/20)

Everything is depressing right now, but through all the ups and downs, the frontline medical staff have been working day and night to keep everyone safe! They’re risking their own lives to serve the people. 

This is really admirable, and they deserve all the respect and appreciation from us. So this post is to show my gratitude! 

People around the world are coming together as communities to applaud the work of healthcare workers. This is not only a big gesture, this is also helping people feel closer and get through these tough times together! 

[blog-thecoronacommunique]

Social-Distancing much?

(5/20)

On one hand (previous post), we see how wage workers are struggling in long queues fighting for limited food. And, on the other hand, there are privileged residents and tourists in developed nations, who are ignoring the rules of social distancing just to continue having an active social life. 

It is quite disappointing to see how people, who can afford to get tested and treated are still out and about, despite the high number of cases (especially in the USA), and are spreading the virus to people who can’t afford to survive the effects of this virus. 

Selfish much?

[blog-thecoronacommunique]

Social-Distancing much?

(4/20)

Social Distancing is the need of the hour, but is it really possible for daily wage workers who are out of jobs currently, and relying on obtaining food from government schemes? Is it really possible when there’s more hungry people than there is food and you need to fight for the last piece of bread? How would you maintain the 6ft distance and still feed the family?

......makes me wonder.......

Can we really flatten the curve of corona virus when so many people are struggling to get food in developing and under-developed countries? 

Picture Courtesy: Pratapgarh, India - amarujala.com