The coronavirus pandemic started like an inaudible whisper, which in a couple of weeks, grew into a roar and then, a turbulent noise, shaking the nations of the world.
Its wave continued to spread wildly and widely, globally, being fueled, by the ease of transmission, through human contacts.
This was coupled, with the unavailability of a vaccine, due to the novelty of the virus.
Today, even, as there is global ease of lockdown and a gradual return to life, like in the days before the pandemic, lessons from the experience are relevant.
In preparing our nation for future threats, be it pandemic, natural disaster, terrorism, or whatever, for such ordeals are, in reality, unforeseen and mostly, unavoidable.
Be it in the most developed countries of the world, or in the poorest and least of civilization, the records of casualties, during this pandemic and previous ones, alongside the challenges, in managing it, drives home a point.
So glaringly; that, the real thing that is difficult, to manage at such times, is not the disease itself, but human behavior.
It means that, the strength and vulnerability of each nation, lies not, in its preparedness, its vast economy, or sophisticated healthcare system, in the face of a pandemic, but rather, in its human behavior and public response.
The public, plays a vital role, in the fight against the pandemic and effectiveness of containment measures.
We, sadly, question the inadequacies in government and leadership, blame poor existing infrastructure, or decry failure, on the part of erring individuals and organizations, to promptly take decisive measures, at avoiding the spread of the pandemic.
In questioning the above, do we take time, to weigh the role of the public and the impact of human behavior, in this whole drama?
Events and occurrences of the pandemic, in countries like the USA, Italy, France, Spain and Europe, as a whole, has taught us that, government efforts are futile.
However, sophisticated, or well planned they may appear, if the populace are not carried along, or fails in the slightest capacity, to play their part.
Just imagine, how events would have turned differently, if at the first declaration of COVID-19, as a pandemic, by the World Health Organisation, WHO.
The public, in every nation of the world, took it seriously, rather than the public, being indifferent, or viewing the disease, as a threat, in distant lands.
If business trips to infected areas, were cancelled, personal isolation initiated, hygienic practices embraced and lockdown measures adopted, immediately.
It is a sure thing that, the pandemic would have died down, with far less infections and mortality rates.
In the end, when our leaders go back to the drawing table, to revisit the lapses in the system, as exposed, by the pandemic.
A major feat that must never be left unaddressed is, public enlightenment, on response to emergency, as a tool for pandemic management and containment.
There is a need, to educate and orientate the people, on identifying and admitting a threat; people must see the need, to start taking threats seriously.
In spite of warnings and news, of how ravaging the pandemic had become, the public, in various nations of the world, continued with business as usual.
Travelling to infected zones and assuming the danger is far away, until it crept in, like a next door neighbor.
There must be public enlightenment , to see every emergency, as a big deal and applying caution, irrespective of its absence, or prevalence in their locality.
Prioritizing Safety Over Ease
A pandemic might not, necessarily, bring with it, threatening noise, like gunshots during war.
Its silent death pangs can, however, bring more casualties, than a war will.
Imagine, how swiftly we run for cover, at the sound of gunshots, abandoning, without the slightest thought, or consideration, whatever business we went about.
In like manner, people need to treat all emergencies, with same prompt response, be it pandemic, flood, terrorism, or whatever.
If we do not see our ease, freedom, or convenience, as a price to pay, for safety at such times, we become casualties. Important, as our businesses and social lives may seem, our safety, should be premium.
Embracing and Adhering to Pandemic Containment Guidelines, Measures and Initiatives
It is a known fact that hard times call for hard measures. When measures, are put in place, to contain a pandemic, how quickly and how largely, the public embarks on such, will determine its effectiveness.
The stay home guidelines, if fully embraced, at the onset, would have helped so many nations of the world.
There is, therefore, a need, to educate the public that, obeying such guidelines, will guarantee their safety.
Being Positive At a Time of Emergency
Such time is not a moment, to spread false news and create baseless theories, in the media. It is, neither time to, selfishly, exploit helpless individuals, nor an avenue, to take undue advantage of people.
These are factors that had contributed, to the hardship of the people, during the lockdown.
Unnecessary inflation of prices, crime and fraud, human manipulations, by instilling fear, through false news, etc., are issues we must address.
If the public is positive, at such times, then, the collective struggle, against the pandemic will definitely be a success.
With the right public response, only little effort is needed, to combat, contain, or manage the pandemic.
Let us go back to public enlightenment on the adequate response needed, in a time of pandemic, then, we are guaranteed of enormous success in this struggle.
If the pandemic is an injury, sophisticated health care systems can be likened, to major surgery, while the right public enlightenment, is likened to first aid.
The latter is cheaper, simpler and in most cases, all that will ever be needed.
Featured Image: denenconsult.org
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