Its been one month and some of us have just started operations in Goa, you cannot call it normal as the downstream distribution or upstream suppliers in other parts of India are still at home. In many parts of the country they are still locked down till May 03, or the rules are so stringent or cumbersome they cannot start. Goa, also has the distinction of being COVID free at present. To assume this means the danger is past us would be erroneous. China the epicentre of this global pandemic is already on the go, seems unfair, but that is life, usually seems unfair.
We can be sure that while we have slowed the progress of the virus with a lock down, we cannot stay locked in forever. We are no longer hunter gatherers, we are now used to having our food delivered, no reference to swiggy here. We neither grow our own vegetables, nor have our own source of meats, barring a few. A fisherman, may be able to get fresh fish, but everything else required to cook and eat it he would need to be supplied. This also means that given we are not a welfare State, a vast majority earn and eat on a daily basis. Just think about it, check all that you used while on lockdown and realise, that someone somewhere had to work to ensure it finally reached you. This means that economic activity has to happen.
A lock down cannot be a permanent answer. What it did do was ensure that there was no run on the medical system. Will this be the only lock down, the answer is most likely no, “lockdown” will be the new normal, atleast till a vaccine is developed or at best we pick up the “herd immunity” that is being talked about. For that to happen we have to operate and live normally, the virus will get to most and once it has done its round, we will become generally immune. The age group 20 to 50 or thereabout have the best chance of developing this immunity and surviving. Older or younger will have to be protected.
While many State governments have responded well including the Goa government. We have to understand this a totally new phenomena, with no precedent, so if the governments change a decision quickly, it is understandable as they are accessing the situation and course correcting. Social media also help highlight the issues quickly.
The decision to allow only one person per bike and two in a car or one can walk to work seems reasonable. However, that means a lot of people especially women who cannot ride, just cannot go to work in the absence of public transport. Assuming, it is a family member on the pillion, surely it can make no difference because they live in the same house anyway. So, the government must look at this aspect quickly in the absence of public transport. COVID has really made Government take quick decisions, we are a nation that moves without a helmet or a seat belt with impunity, we can now get a challan for carrying an extra passenger, oh yes and one hopes that the anti spitting rule stays. What about the pan shops at every nook and corner, should that not be taken out first, since you cannot have a “non spit” pan anyway. COVID is teaching us to follow rules.
It was a treat to watch how the industry and Government collaborated to ensure the smooth start to industry in rural areas. The Goa State Industries Association(GSIA), took the lead and aided by industrial estate associations worked with Government officials to help restart almost 1600 units smoothly, including issuing of approx 20000 odd travel permits for cars, buses and two-wheelers. This was all made possible by a simple online application. The better part was to see, industry self regulate and insist on Companies starting only if they could fulfil the Ministry Of Health conditions which included thermal scanning, disinfecting equipment and sanitising personnel. Earlier when only companies under essential services had to start the District officials were overwhelmed with the applications in addition to their disaster management duties, causing unintended delays. Frankly it was great to see the MD of GIDC, Mr. Neto with his team working with industry officials side by side to ensure the smooth distribution of passes across Goa, on a Sunday. This cooperation is going to go a long way in the future.
Today, if you go around, you will see people standing in a neat line with proper social distancing in front of before shops, ATMs etc. That is surely a change from our normal way of crowding around and someone behind shouting his order despite people ahead of him. Is it not a better system, why did this little virus have to teach us these niceties? The down side to the big markets closing is the springing at every nook and corner of street vendors. Is this a good thing, you have authorised vendors who have paid their taxes and registration sitting and twiddling their thumbs and yet a whole lot of fly by night operators with suspect quality making hay while COVID lurks. The authorities should make some changes here for sure. SO COVID brings out both good and not so good.
Everyone will look back and say, they have never seen days like this, true and the days ahead are going to be very different. The human race has always looked at adversity in the eye and come out stronger. This is because we are, as Sadhguru recently paraphrased it “agile, brave and competent” enough to face any challenge. We will soon get used to the new normal and life will go on, hopefully in a better way.
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