By J. Felix Raj, SJ

Kolkata, April 20, 2020: More than 184 countries and territories have reported cases of Covid 19.

As of April 20, the total number of affected cases in the world were 2,428,354 cases with 166,130 deaths (6.8 percent).

The overall death rate is increasing every day by 0.20 percent. The global increase in the total number of people affected per day is around 86,800 and the number of deaths per day is around 6,420.

The Western and European countries have been badly affected. In Europe (Italy, Spain, France and the UK), the death rates compared to the rate of affected cases is much higher. Of late, both rates are found to be decreasing gradually.

Indian Scenario: The total number of affected cases crossed 18,000 of which around 570 have died.

For every 100 affected cases, 3.48 are dying now. In India, the increase in the number of affected cases on an average per day is above 700. Compared to the western and European countries, the number of affected cases in India is low.

According to the experts, the number of affected cases is likely to increase with an increase in widespread testing. India is in a safe mode as of now.

Thanks to our Governments, leaders, doctors, nurses and health workers for their prompt action and measures to combat the virus. What is it that awaits us? The most affected state of India is Maharashtra with 1364 cases followed by Tamil Nadu with 834 and Delhi with 898 cases as of April 10.

COVID-19 has spread to the far north of India in Jammu and Kashmir with 184 reported cases and Ladakh with 15 cases respectively.

In India, 36 districts are suspected to have community infection. 10 hotspots have been identified in West Bengal. Supreme Court of India’s directive to give free tests for coronavirus is a welcome move.

USA: In the USA, the affected cases as of April 15 are 6, 13, 886 which is 30.70 percent of the total affected cases globally. The number of confirmed cases of deaths (26,047on April 15) is surging, hospitals are begging for help and entire cities are going on lockdown.

The number of death is increasing steeply and has overtaken Italy. It is said in the USA, more young people will get infected in the next several weeks. Available data confirmed that the risk of dying from COVID-19 increases drastically with age, with 80 percent of deaths in persons over 65 years old in the USA.

China: China seems to have recovered and the recovery rate is very high. The death rate is almost nil. The number of new cases has decreased in China though cases of repeat infection are being reported.

History: We have had many crises of various types in the world; say for the last 100 years or so. None was predicted nor did they permanently stay on with the world. All have passed away. COVID 19 is also one of such crises.

All that we need to do is to remain courageous and have confidence in ourselves and in our God and March forward as we have done in the past. An anecdote comes to my mind: The legendary US President, Abraham Lincoln, was also a spiritual leader.

During the terrible American civil war, when his secretary of State, Stanton, said, “Mr. President, I hope God is on our side?” Lincoln gently replied, “My dear chap, it is more important that we are on God’s side”.

As Sri Aurobindo describes, “All depend on the spirit in which a thing is done, the principle on which it is built, and the use to which it is turned.”

The Scenario: There are so many interpretations of the Pandemic–political,religious, social, cultural, and biological. There are facts and fables too –blame and counter-blames. Some individuals and countries are reportedly accusing China, others accuse the USA; some see the ominous hints of the beginning of a bio-warfare?

Social media has come in handy to circulate all types of news. People are in a dilemma what is true and what is fake!

One thing is certain–the COVID-19 is real and it is here. We ought to collectively fight to contain it and defeat this global threat to our race. In the process, we need to find out the source of COVID-19 and its very purpose.

COVID Impact: Besides causing a huge impact on people’s lives,families and communities, COVID–19 Pandemic is also significantly impacting the global business environment and the world economy.

Due to shrinkage of the economy, huge job loss and unemployment might take place. Production in agricultural, industry and service sectors, distribution, demand, supply, prices, employment, lifestyle, all spheres of life have been debilitated.

Investment in research might get restricted. There could be a reduction in industrial production due to a lack of investment. Due to disruption in production and imbalance in demand-supply rise in price seems to be inevitable. Inflation is unavoidable. The growth rate would be as less as 1.5 percent to 2 percent leading to economic recession.

Many small businesses in the unorganized sector would close down due to this severe shock and retail sales would suffer. Lack of money in the hands of poor people might lead to lawlessness.

Steps to be taken: We are happy with the steps taken by Governments and world leaders so far. We need to pat on our backs that in spite of hardships and inconveniences, we gave our best and cooperated collectively. Now we need to sustain these measures to prevent the vociferous pandemic.

Hotspots and clusters of infection have been identified by the government of India for providing health care services.

India is working on a set of policy measures to combat the economic impact of COVID-19. A package of 15,000 crore has been declared by the central government to fight against COVID-19. Measures are being taken to keep the daily number of reported cases at a manageable level for health care services, a concept known as ‘flattening the curve’. Prevention is better than cure. An ongoing awareness and education of preventive measures need to be undertaken by us.

We, the citizens must act responsibly and take the pandemic outbreak seriously by staying at home unless absolutely necessary, avoiding gatherings and taking care of personal hygiene. India has taken a constructive measure in roping in all organizations and NGOs. Yes, it is our social duty and moral responsibility to look after our fellow beings in this trying time.

According to some, it is like a world war against human civilization which we have to fight together. We need to provide adequate support and protection to the people in health services, and police who maintain law and order.

Lessons to Learn: Every struggle/crisis teaches us something new. What is the lesson COVID 19 is teaching us? What will the post-COVID 19 period be?

We have many lessons to learn from this pandemic. There may be changes in personal life, family life, leadership roles, relationship between countries, and ways of socialization, work-culture, and ways of worship.

The COVID 19 has taught us to accept and live with hardships and struggles. It has also taught us to trade some of our freedom for the greater good of the public. Through lockdown, we have learned to be content alone and appreciate nature.

My optimistic outlook feels convinced that there is cause for hope and the future is bright.

Educational scenario will change. The lockdown period has begun the online mode of
teaching-learning and virtual classrooms. Leaders and teachers have begun to reflect on new ways of teaching-learning and research.

I expect a drastic change for better ways of imparting education. The process is redefining the role of education and the educator.

I agree with the great Jesuit philosopher, Teilhard de Chardin who said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual nature. We are spiritual beings having a human nature.”

I am confident that our experience with COVID-19 will teach us to be enlightened spiritual beings with the human experience of global connectedness and mutual fellowship.

[The writer is Vice-Chancellor, St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata, West Bengal.]