Covid-19 Pandemic: Lessons for the Future

Abstract

India is a diverse country and the coronavirus pandemic impact reflects this diversity, with widespread impact on different socioeconomic strata and background. India is one of the most competitive and resourceful countries in the world but we still failed in managing the coronavirus pandemic spread not because we lack great minds and resources but delay in response. This results mainly because of huge political resistance coupled with a great diversity of opinions. An example of this is evident from the fact that just for bringing back a few foreign travellers and NRIs, the whole country is now at risk of coronavirus pandemic., Foreign travellers and NRIs could have dealt with this issue with adequate support from the Indian Embassy till the situation got under control. We were not efficient in checking every individual, coming from foreign countries, still allowed international travellers to carry the infection into our country., Ceasing of international flights along with a shorter lockdown at initial stage could have checked the spread of coronavirus in the country, allowing enough time to our healthcare system to gear up for pandemic. We have attempted to discuss in detail the impact of the delayed response to this perceived threat at an early stage and how our country has been able to deal with the coronavirus pandemic thus far.