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Just when we the thought the Government had probably forgotten the poor caught in the storm created by the COVID-19 pandemic and would be left to reap the whirlwind, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Thursday announced a 1.7 lakh crore welfare package for poor daily wage workers and those in the unorganized sector who have no recourse to earn a living in light of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the nationwide lockdown.

The present spread of the novel Coronavirus across the globe has infected thousands and sent many of them to death. The figures of dead and infected are on the rise every day. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has termed the disaster as a “pandemic”. The virus has spread to about 196 countries and territories in six continents. The news of lockdown is coming from countries across the globe every day. The lockdown is causing huge loss to the world economy. The alarming situation calls for a hard thinking. Was the outbreak intentional or spontaneous?

The word “novel” in the Novel Coronavirus is a misnomer. As part of human nature, there is a propensity to compare the deadliest of diseases and while Covid-19 does not appear to have a high mortality rate, yet the rate of exposure seems to be unprecedented.

BHOPAL: After winning confidence vote and assuming the charge for the fourth time as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan took several steps to undo many decisions taken hours before resigning by Kamal Nath. Nath appointed several important Congress leaders to various posts. Most of the appointments were such which were quasi-judicial in nature.

On March 22, the poor and daily wage earners had enthusiastically responded to the appeal of Narendra Modi to observe Janata Curfew. His announcement nonetheless was perceived as a prelude to the long-drawn lockdown. Their apprehensions have come true.

Nobody can beat Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in beating about the bush. Her press conference on Monday to announce major concessions to people and businesses in view of the Covid virus outbreak in the country was a classic flip-flop.

“This is an unprecedented moment in history, and we need to act in unprecedented ways, no matter what it costs,” declared Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). “We need to guarantee to every American they will not be left hanging,” and that they have the health care, food, and housing they need during this crisis.

Europe is being called the epicentre of the coronavirus, and particularly western Europe, where the responses have varied from the new Socialist-Podemos coalition in Spain nationalising the country’s industry to a total quarantine in France by the neoliberal Emmanuel Macron, criticised for being three weeks too late.

While UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is contemplating to enforce lockdown by the police, as it has become imperative with people not taking seriously the preventive measure of social distancing and staying inside, interestingly the Labour Party is going ahead with its programme of electing its new leader on April 4, to replace Jeremy Corbyn.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Government has declared a total lockdown amidst mounting fears of a community spread of the dreaded disease and alarming rise in Covid-19 cases in the State.