A long way to go

The global coronavirus crisis will not end anytime soon and there is a long way to go. This is the latest warning from the WHO, stating that the struggle against the pandemic is far from over. In fact, many countries are still in the early stages of the epidemic and could see a resurgence in cases.

The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 180,000 people and infected 2.6 million, while also ravaging economies. The United States is the hardest-hit country with more than 46,500 deaths and nearly 840,000 infections. It is now been revealed that the first fatalities from the disease came weeks than previously, suggesting that the tally is far short of reality.

There is increasing pressure on world leaders to reopen the economy. US President Trump, who has been sceptical of the lockdown, issued a warning that it may be too soon. The world’s largest economy is struggling to secure enough ventilators and safety equipment for health workers. Now Americans are told to prepare for a second, and possibly more devastating, wave of coronavirus infections.

There are concerns that COVID-19 could nosedive with the common flu which emerges very year. With no vaccine in sight for the next, there is a possibility that there could be a resurgence in the winters. This implies that the virus, as well as the health crisis, is here to stay and is not going anywhere.

Pakistan could be among the countries that the WHO warned are in the early stages of the epidemic. The number of infections in the country has crossed the grim 10,000 mark with more than 225 deaths. There is increased pressure from various segments of society, particularly businessmen, to end the lockdown. Many traders who violated the lockdown were forcibly shut down and arrested.

The government agreed to the religious community’s demand to open mosques for prayers during the month of Ramazan. This is not without controversy as there is anxiety as the holy month commences. Doctors have warned that the health system could collapse and there would be no bed for the patient if the situation worsens. The politicking over pandemic continues as usual.

The pressure of the government to ease the lockdown has been growing by the day, but this cannot be at the cost of human lives and health. The situation could worsen in Pakistan over the next month and we should be prepared as there is still a long way to go.