Time to Refocus Against Covid-19

United Nations (UN) has expressed displeasure over the handling of Covid-19 crisis by different nations. The organisation is of the view that instead of combating the lethal virus collectively, nations are choosing different methods. Though UN did not name any country, it is obvious that its main targets were United States of America (USA) and China. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the two countries have indulged in a number of rhetorics against each other and often lost focus on the real challenge. While US president Donald Trump went to the extent of accusing China of knowingly spreading the virus all over the world in collusion with World Health Organisation (WHO); China, on the other hand rubbished all claims stating that the stories were planted to malign the Asian giant and to prevent it from becoming the number one country in the world. The enmity between the two countries has reached such a point that US has stopped grants to WHO alleging that the organisation sided with China.

Clearly, the deteriorating relationship between the two countries has weakened the battle against corona virus. So far, this deadly virus has claimed more lives than the number of deaths during First World War and is showing no signs of stopping. If the virus continues to take lives at this rate, in all certainty it will force us to rewrite the record books. While people all over the world are waiting for reprieve, the nations seem to be more interested in a battle of hegemony. The tussle between US and China has already been mentioned. However, a number of other nations are equally guilty. A close look at India’s neighbours will prove this fact. Firing, infiltration and terrorist activities have not stopped at our western border. The manner in which they are engaged seems as though the country is not at all affected by Covid-19. If Pakistan’s attitude towards India is on expected lines, Nepal offered a surprise by taking anti-India stance without any provocation. The country has redrawn its map and included some new areas to it, which for years have been known as part of the Indian Territory. Even the Nepalese government has failed to answer why it suddenly drew the new map and passed it in the country’s parliament during such a crisis. Many are suggesting a Chinese hand behind the entire episode. Coming to China, India’s recent skirmish with its northern neighbour in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed grabbed national and international headlines. An almost equal number of soldiers, if not more, died for China too. The question that must be raised is what was the reason behind such huge bloodshed at this present pandemic time? Could we have not settled the border dispute after the virus scare is over? In Europe too, the countries which are limping back to normalcy are bitterly engaged with other nations on various issues. So, UN was right is putting the nations on the dock for quarreling at a time when the need of the hour is unity. If we are really interested in winning the battle against Covid-19, we will have to unite. Remember, it is a battle which cannot be won by any single country. Only the might of a united world can defeat Covid-19.