Lockdown 5.0 or Unlock 1.0 – Narrative of helplessness

Preamble

Now, as we have entered in the phase of lockdown 5.0, several talks of the town have also started with the same. Even, as per the guidelines, it is more the unlock 1.0 instead of lockdown 5.0. The reason for the same is the opening of several activities in a phased manner. So, Now let’s move through the story of “Lockdown 5.0 or Unlock 1.0 – Narrative from a Common Man View Point”

Common man view point

Now, understand that what are those talk of the towns? In other words, there are several concerns of the public, which are becoming the topics of talks? These concerns could be understood with some of the questions like – why the government has started the activities even when the cases are increasing exponentially?’ Or’ When there is the real need of the complete shutdown due to high rise in covid patients, it has been converted to unlock 1.0? There are several other similar questions arising in everyone’s mind. So, let’s understand the whole scenario with the following points.

Background

Starting with very first date i.e. March 19, 2020, when it was announced that there would be a one-day Janata curfew on March 22, 2020 from 7 AM to 9 PM. Moreover, with this day, Indian railways has also suspended its regular passenger services till March 31, 2020.

Lockdown 1.0

Later on, based on the situations, the nationwide shutdown from March 25, 2020 to April 14, 2020 was announced on March 24, 2020. During this, essential activities were permitted to work in order to avoid the panic situations. This phase was termed as lockdown 1.0. During this phase the several announcements were also made in order to relief the poor and affected peoples. As this first period was approaching towards the end, many state governments expressed their views to extend it till the end of April.

During this first period, initially everything was being observed under control with reference to the count of covid patients. But as approaching towards the end, the cases started to increase in a big way due to some non-cooperative elements of the society.

Lockdown 2.0

With all this, the government extended the lockdown up to May 3, 2020 and it was termed as lockdown 2.0. During this lockdown the areas were classified as red, orange and green zone based on the severity of the cases. In the areas having less severe cases, certain more activities were allowed from April 20, 2020.

Lockdown 3.0

Lockdown 3.0 begins from May 4, 2020 and continued till May 17, 2020. During this phase several areas were again designated as red, orange and green zone based on the severity of the cases. As usual some more activities were permitted in the less severe areas.

Lockdown 4.0

Lockdown 4.0 started from May 18, 2020 and continued up to May 31, 2020 with some additional relaxations. In this period, apart from already allotted designations to the areas, the red zone areas were further divided in to containment and buffer zones.

Lockdown 5.0

Finally, we are in the fifth phase of the lockdown i.e. lockdown 5.0 till June 30, 2020. Now, if you closely observe all the previous lockdowns, there could be several key points. These key points are required to be noted to answer some of the today’s questions.

Key Insights

Problems of migrant workers

First and foremost, key point was that the problems of migrant workers have started to come in picture. We all have gone through these pictures showing their covering of thousand miles with barefoot or bicycle or whatever they had at that time. This makes everyone realize the real importance of being vocal of local. Even the irony was that, they were treated as migrant in their own country. The reason, in my opinion, is they doesn’t belong to the place, where they were earning. That’s why their earning place was having no responsibility towards them in this tough situation.

Indian railways

Initially, Passenger services of the railways and other transport were suspended in line with the government announcements of extending lockdown. Later on, when the problems of migrant workers started increasing. The decision was taken to send them back to their native place by offering special bus and train services. As a result of the same, the cases started to increase in a large way. On the other hand, if it would not have been done, then what about those problems of migrant workers?

Now, when the question moving around is, why the complete lockdown is not being imposed now? The reason behind such questions may be the increasing number of cases. Moreover, you can also claim that as most of the migrants have also arrived to their native place. Their problem has also been solved. In my opinion, still problems have not been solved.

Scenario of Jobs and Employment

As this lockdown has taken more than 2 months, it has affected the several businesses and organizations very badly. Even the situation is that many of the individuals are jobless. Many of them are getting a pay cut. This all is because of the shutdown of the organizations. It has even made them (the organizations) claiming that they are in loss because of non-operating activities. These statements can also be understood with the facts as given below;

Scenario of Jobs and Employment – Facts & Figures

Within a short span, the unemployment has increased from 6.7% on March 15, 2020 to 26% on April 19, 2020. During this lockdown, an approximate of 14 crore (140 million) people lost their jobs while salaries were reduced for many others. Even, more than 45% of households reported an income drop in comparison to the previous year across the nation.

It was expected to lose over ₹32,000 crore (US$4.5 billion) in Indian economy every day during the first 21 days of lockdown, which was acknowledged following the coronavirus outbreak. During lockdown, less than a quarter of India’s economic movement was functional. Up to 53% of businesses in the country were anticipated to be significantly hampered.

Even the situation is despite the continued online learning during this lockdown, in many cases, the parents are not willing to pay the fees. This is resulting in the non-payment or less payment of the salaries of the teachers. Moreover, in many cases, a parent is not able to pay the fees, as he is also under crisis due to suffering of their respective businesses or jobs. In simple words, if I will say, this lockdown has affected the economy very badly.

Conclusive remarks

Now, if the lockdown would get extended more, I hope, you are already aware of the consequences with reference to the economy. Moreover, if the lockdown is completely removed, again I hope, you are aware of the consequences with reference to the pandemic. So, in my opinion, it is good to unlock the lockdown in a phased manner. However, at this point, our responsibility as an individual has increased more to follow the safety guidelines.

Now if you say that अरे भाई जान है तो जहान है। Then I will only say, all this is until you are having money in your pockets and eatables in kitchen….

Take care of your health, stay pleasant, be productive.

Thanks

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Disclaimer: The views presented in this article are the author’s own views. The views are presented here just for the purpose of information. These views are not meant to harm any one’s belief / thoughts.