The world is yet to achieve any true success in combating Covid-19 pandemic. The virus has brought the world to a halt during the last five months. Thousands of lives have already been lost and thousands more are counting their days. Experts are pondering whether the number of deaths will cross the number of people who had lost their lives during the Spanish Flu in between 1918-20. The need of the hour is to find a potent weapon to beat corona. But instead of engaging ourselves to this task, we are taking a partisan approach which is affecting our battle against Covid-19.
President of United States of America (USA) Donald Trump has proudly announced the withholding of grants to World Health Organisation (WHO). US has alleged that this specialised United Nations (UN) agency has suppressed facts about the pandemic that first broke out in China. It is not known to anyone, whether or not, WHO did that. But, many believe that the allegation is the result of the ongoing battle of supremacy between US and China. So to hide its failure in combating Covid-19, US is now trying to put both China and WHO on the dock just to divert attention.
A developed nation like US should realise that it is not the time to make such allegations. Whether WHO had deliberately hidden the facts about corona or not, can be investigated later. At present, WHO should be allowed to carry on the battle against the virus on behalf of the entire world. Paucity of funds should not weaken our fight against Covid-19. The world is indebted to US for its generous funding to WHO. As a result of which, WHO has been able to achieve many remarkable success in health sector since its inception. So at this crucial hour ‘Successes’ in ‘the’ health sector should not be stopped under any pretext. When no nation is safe, why should the nations waste their resources fighting each other? Rather all nations should concentrate in defeating the common enemy.
In India too, an argument has been initiated about the method of combating corona. While the government has extended lock down till May 3, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has questioned its justification and alleged that Modi Government was not doing enough. But before alleging, it would have been better if Mr. Gandhi remembered the fact that the world is still searching the right way to combat and eradicate corona. History shows such battles are long drawn and goes ahead with trial and error method. Lock down has been announced to prevent the virus from spreading. No one has declared it as the only way to fight corona. The countries, which were late in declaring lock down, have paid a heavy price. So, there is nothing wrong in imposing lock down. At the same time, no one is denying the need of finding a permanent solution to this menace. Mr. Gandhi has advocated for more tests to combat Covid-19. But kits are not easily available worldwide. In such a situation expecting India to do random testing is just ignoring reality. Finding ways to fight corona is the job of the scientists, politicians should give them a free hand instead of being engaged in unnecessary controversies. Otherwise, the future is doomed.
