LIFT THE LOCKDOWN & OPEN UP
Is the Curve Flattened? So far, India has done a phenomenal job of ‘flattening the curve’ as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reported a test positivity rate (TPR) of 4.4% (i.e., 1in 23 people tested were positive). Compared to India, the US had a TPR of 19.3%, Spain 18.2%, Italy 13.2% and Japan […]
A POLICY ROAD MAP TO TACKLE COVID-19
Policy Concerns Policies to address the worldwide crisis brought about by COVID-19 must satisfy three criteria: They must aim to minimise the loss of life directly resulting from the disease, while recognising that there remain deep uncertainties about its true nature. They must restore the elements of economic and social life as soon as possible, […]
GLOBAL HUNGER COULD DOUBLE DUE TO COVID-19
Why in news? The number of people facing acute food insecurity could nearly double this year to 265 million, due to the economic fallout of COVID-19, the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) said on 21st April 2020. The impact of lost tourism revenues, falling remittances and travel and other restrictions linked to the coronavirus pandemic […]
ENSURE WORKERS DOWNLOAD AAROGYA APP
Why in news? Central government organizations involved in construction, including various metro rail corporations, were instructed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to ensure that “all labour personnel/staff” returning to work from 20th April 2020 have downloaded the government’s COVID-19 tracking app — Aarogya Setu. Why was this needed? While the country remains in a […]
INDIA REGISTERED A TOTAL OF 826 FATALITIES AND 26,917 CASES
Why in news? The death toll due to COVID-19 continued to rise on Sunday, with the country registering a total of 826 fatalities and 26,917 cases. 5,913 people have recovered, with a recovery rate of 21.9%. The doubling rate had been showing regular improvement and stood at 10.5 days when seen over a period of […]
LIFELINE UDAN FLIGHTS
Why in news? ‘Lifeline Udan’ flights are being operated by MoCA to transport essential medical cargo to remote parts of the country to support India’s war against COVID-19. Air India operated two flights between Mumbai- Frankfurt and Mumbai- London last week under the Krishi Udan program, carrying seasonal fruits and vegetables from Mumbai and returning […]
PREVENTING FOOD SHORTAGES IS HIGH PRIORITY FOR SOUTH ASIA
Adverse Impacts of the World Bank’s Forecast The forecasted scenarios translate for South Asia into sharp declines in exports, disruptions in global value chains, deterioration of investment sentiment, reversal of capital flows, and reduced remittances. An extended lockdown for three months and a more partial lockdown in subsequent quarters would lead to a negative growth […]
E-COMMERCE CAN’T SUPPLY NON-ESSENTIALS; GOA IS FIRST TO TURN VIRUS FREE
Why in news? The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on 19th April 2020 clarified that supply of non-essential goods by e-commerce companies will remain prohibited during the lockdown. Goa, on 19th April 2020, became the first zero COVID-19 State in the country with the last seven positive cases also turning negative. What did the ministry […]
A VIRUS, SOCIAL DEMOCRACY, AND DIVIDENDS FOR KERALA
Kerala’s Success in Flattening the curve Though Kerala was the first State with a recorded case of coronavirus and once led the country in active cases, it now ranks 10th of all States and the total number of active cases (in a State that has done the most aggressive testing in India) has been declining […]
IRONING OUT WRINKLES IN INDIA’S PANDEMIC RESPONSE
Why in news? Some critical weaknesses in the country’s health system can come in the way of a credible strategy to combat COVID-19 Much concern about the novel coronavirus in India is understandably about the number of cases and related deaths. Details It is important to remember that the vast majority (80%) of COVID-19 cases […]