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The coronavirus global pandemic is still raging with its epicentre in the United States of America. It is during this time that President Trump and his administration have launched a frontal campaign against China, blaming it for the creation of the virus and its spread going to the extent of demanding compensation for the damage caused.

Eight core industries, which constitute over 40 per cent of the total industrial production, have shrunk by 6.5 per cent in March 2020. This decline is by and large before the nationwide lock down was imposed, but these figures reveal what really to expect from the industrial sector. The only silver lining was that coal production in March increased by 4 per cent, although cumulative production during the current year was marginally down. Crude oil production was down by 5.5 per cent, while natural gas production plummeted by 15 per cent.

The rise of coronavirus across the globe led to countries introducing methods to curb its physical ramifications. One of the most common modes adopted by nations was mandatory social distancing, lockdowns, closure of educational institutions and offices, public places, etc. The social lives of millions came to a standstill overnight. For instance, in India, on 24th March 2020, at 8 p.m., the Prime Minister announced a complete nationwide lockdown commencing from midnight. This caused a country of 1.3 billion to launch into survival mode and gave them four hours to gird up their loins for a life-altering reality. The imposition of re-defined social norms, although necessary to control the virus, invisibly affects the mental health of the masses.

On the eve of the historic May Day, International Labour Organisation (ILO) has come out with a grim global scenario stating that 1.6 billion workers, half of the world's active workforce, are in immediate danger of having their livelihoods destroyed by the economic impact of the Covid 19. The extent of the impact will however vary from country to country 'While in the major developed countries the existing social security measures will minimise the hardships, the situation will be worse in the developing and the poor countries where the governments have not ensured social security measures for the workers. The labour of the unorganised sectors will be facing the worst situation.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala, which is locked in a grim battle against the dreaded corona virus, is plagued by a daunting variety of problems.

In response to a survey conducted by the Health Ministry, 44% of respondents have said that they have reduced their food intake or miss one meal per day. Only one third of the respondents said that they received any relief in kind or cash. India has a work force of 54 crore people out of which about 50 crore are in the unorganized sector, among them those who are not covered under any statutory social security schemes are almost 40 crores and who get no benefit from any schemes of the government. In this situation of lock down the workers who are stranded and unable to go to their home are faced with serious food crisis. Even the children of the workers are not getting meals. Milk, which is the most essential for the growth of children is a dream for them.

As we are close to the second phase of lockdown that ends on May 3, two things are crystal clear. The first is that the COVID-19 is to stay with us for a long time, and the second is that the people of the country cannot lock themselves in their homes for such a longer period. People need safety from the disease and hunger both. They must, therefore, learn to live safe with the disease in the post-lockdown era, and the government must respond with four groups of strategies to deal with the new situation.

World leaders, including Microsoft founder Bill Gates, have praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his timely decision to enforce a national lockdown to fight the Covid pandemic. Europe and the US have had to pay dearly for their failure to act at the right time.

Cuba’s medical mission has been recommended for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of its efforts in the fight against the global Covid-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 has taken a shape of pandemic. It is being fought like a war. Entire Indian society and economy has been put under serious stress on account of this. There is problem everywhere including both rural and urban areas with regard to it. Abrupt imposition of lockdown in the third week of Mach 2020 compelled thousands of casual workers to march toward their villages, to which they originally belonged. A number of such workers have even died on the way to their villages. Why did they decide to leave the cities and head for their homes, despite there being no transport and the village often hundreds, even thousand kilometres away?