Lockdown versus life, a global challenge

Every country has its unique political, economic and health infrastructure challenges. Nevertheless, every country in the world is facing this dilemma — lives or livelihood? If a country eases restrictions, the infection flares up.

Look at Germany. It was one of the best performing countries when it came to battling the coronavirus. But as it eased its lockdown, its infection rate went up per person from below 1 to above

1. This is only to be expected.

If a country goes into lockdown mode, economic ruin stares at it in the face. That's what is happening in India. According to the Centre for the Monitoring of Indian Economy (CMIE), 84 per cent households have already experienced a decline in income.

That's almost everyone. India is particularly vulnerable to both the virus and the economic impact of a lockdown. A crowded country with poor health infrastructure, India could have become a global COVID-19 hotspot in no time.

Vodnala Kanchana, B Tech, Karimnagar