History proved that pandemics always have a horrendous effect on humanity. In the 14th century plague, 20 million people lost their life and the Spanish flu in 1918 had destruction from east to west. This pandemic had a nightmare not only for developing but also for developed nations. Spanish flu was disastrous for the US as it affects 2 million people. Now the world witnesses COVID-19 with some lethal results, especially in the west. Every country sealed its border and nationalism spread all over the world. When we see the world every country has been facing complete lockdown. Why is the reason behind this lockdown? It is due to the Saint Louis model. Now the question is what is this model? The answer is when Spanish flu reached in America two cities Philadelphia and Saint Louis had been faced first cases. The Mayor of both cities called the meeting with the administration. The Mayor of Philadelphia didn’t take it seriously and called it a small beer.
Many members protested against this act but mayor Mr. smith took it very light and called the Liberty Loan parade on 28 September 1918 which prompts up a huge outbreak of Spanish flu in the city. On the other side mayor of Saint Louis banned every public gathering even funerals were not allowed. People protested against this lockdown but the mayor wasn’t convinced to remove it. After two months both cities had shown totally different results. Philadelphia had a record of 60 thousand deaths with the most disastrous city hit by the pandemic. Saint Louis had recorded few deaths during the lockdown. Pandemic left America at the end of 1919 but it made the mayor of Saint Louis a hero for the entire nation. Now after a century world has been convinced to follow the Saint Louis model. So it should be understood that corona is not a new virus but the intensity of this virus has been improved or men lost their immunity with the passage of time.
The world order has been disturbed during the last two months. Economic giants like China, Italy, Us disturbed the most with viruses. Iran affected the most in underdeveloped countries with almost ten thousand cases. Economic sanctions on Iran halted them to fight against this pandemic. Pakistan another country with dangled economy and a faint health care system reported the first case of COVID-19 on 26 Feb and since now have thousand plus cases with seven deaths and 17 recover patients.
The situation has worsened in Sindh where 400 plus cases have been reported. The truth is that there is no local birth of virus in Pakistan. It has been carried by the pilgrims that came from Iran through the Taftan border. The question is that what is the reason that these pilgrims allowed to travel openly in a country where there is not even a basic health system for the public? Why the government didn’t take any action like lockdown early and why prime minister waits for a critical situation to take any kind of action? Are this government have any solid policy? If have then what are the reasons that brings them to stand still in this alarming situation? Why federal govt not leading from front as province take their own precautionary measures? Is this a mishandling or mismanagement? There is need a psychological management which can be helpful for Pakistan to fight against pandemic because people of Pakistan could not take it very serious.
President John F. Kennedy once said: “ The human mind is our fundamental resource.” There is a dire need for us to have psychologist in every sphere of life. We have to fight not only with pandemic but also with senselessness of people. When it comes towards economy Pakistan have their hardest time of debts and deficits. Now the pandemic is a world threat world bank and IMF announces heavy funds for developing nations. Pakistan is one of them that would have been benefited from it. World bank gave $200 million and Pakistan requested $1.4 bn from IMF to overcome the economic shut down
during covid-19. Will this be enough to tackle the situation? Pakistan should take some serious action to overcome the situation because as nation we cannot afford the lockdown of months as the China did. Prime minister is very much right regarding the concern of daily wages because there is 25% population who lived below poverty line. So with the assistance of WB and IMF Pakistan can controlled the situation like Sindh CM did. When we talked about the industrial shut down! Yes it has been a devastating impact on economy but it can never be above the nation. Another good step that is no duty on surgical things related to pandemic but it can be beneficial if applicable to all pharmaceuticals not the selected one.
Chinese shipment arrived today in the country and we will have witnessed another spectacular friendship era with some special assistance from china to tackle the situation. Now Pakistan need some actions to run the machinery like online system and monitoring of important organs of govt. If the situation might get worse then Pakistan should adopted saint louis model which is applicable to all over the world and might be the only effective system to fight against corona. People might have been suffer a lot but not more then their life. Yes economy is struggling but we are not the only one who trashed by pandemic everyone even economic giants have been suffering from economic backlash. Now its time to learn how china America and other develop countries uplift their economy from crisis.
Wrapping Up:
It’s the best time for us to learn how to fight pandemic without panic and the most important thing how policy makers make or break the scenario for whole nation without spreading too much confusion among the people. A massage for people is that all the organs of govt tried to save you and they only need your support so be supportive to your own people. It is the firm duty of every responsible citizen of Pakistan