This refers to your cover story Is My Job Safe? (April 27). In these times of economic insecurity and despair, Robin Banerjee’s advice to reinvent oneself fosters positivity. The World War I and II ruined economies across the globe, but the world economy picked up and galloped at a speed beyond expectations. History shows us that humanity has faced all manmade and natural disasters successfully and resurrected itself. Compared to those upheavals, a few weeks of lockdown is nothing. But things are difficult for daily-wage earners who are starving on the streets thanks to the sudden declaration of the lockdown. It is shameful how the Uttar Pradesh government did nothing for the labourers marching on the streets, but promptly arranged 300 buses to bring back students of coaching classes in Kota living in hostels.
M.N. Bhartiya, Goa
While protecting lives is the primary responsibility of the government during a pandemic, there also needs to be a stimulus package. The world economy might suffer to the tune of $1-2 trillion in 2020 due to COVID-19. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Many companies with the ability to provide services and products remotely, such as IT startups, are still hiring. Campus recruitment fairs and job interviews are now being held over video-communication platforms. Online retailers, pharmaceutical companies and tech companies continue to advertise new positions during the pandemic.
Seetharam B., Hanamkonda
Learning For Life Excerpts of a letter from Florence Nightingale to probationer-nurses of the Nightingale School
This refers to the cover story Losing Sanity? (April 20). Kudos to Outlook for sensitising us regarding the spate of atrocities against women and children and the pathetic living conditions of people in the unorganised sector among other issues. The economy is in a shambles and the plight of migrant labourers cannot be overemphasised. We do not know how long the lockdown and social distancing will keep poor daily-wage earners away from work, bereft of food and shelter. This issue must be addressed urgently. It is a pity that those who built rails, roads and bridges, whose hard labour drove the economy, are now bearing the brunt of the lockdown the most. One must devote a certain part of one’s income to their wellbeing and help them stay afloat in these tough times. With both words and deeds, we can lend them a helping hand.
Vijay Adhikari, Nainital
The human race has never been so endangered and helpless in our living memory. Lakhs of victims of the virus are dead and millions are being treated in hospitals across the world. When and how this nightmare will end, nobody knows. Lockdown and confinement have forced changes in the lifestyles and daily routines of people. It can be fun for a while, but is bound to create problems—physical and mental—if continued for long. The number of cases in India, though comparatively small in comparison to that of other countries, is going up by the day. The Centre and state governments have converted most government hospitals either into COVID-19 centres or opened a dedicated COVID-19 block in others. Senior doctors leading the battle against the deadly virus have expressed concerns over opening separate COVID-19 blocks to admit and treat the infected patients. They say Italy made the same mistake and paid a heavy price. The Centre must take notice of this.
M.C. Joshi, Lucknow
This refers to Home, Not Alone (April 20). The pandemic is helping us understand both the pleasures and pressures of working from home. Traffic and pollution levels have come down significantly. The IT industry should consider adopting work from home to decongest cities. With increased commuting times and the stress of modern workplaces, employees may welcome being able to work from home. Studies find working from home reduces commuting time, driving fatigue and transport congestion and has environmental benefits too. To avoid the problem of employees feeling socially and professionally isolated, teleconferences or attending office on select days could be an option. If employees and employers can find a balance, the outbreak could prove to be the tipping point for remote work arrangements to become the norm and make our cities liveable.
H.N. Ramakrishna, Bangalore
This refers to the piece on the wake-up call set by nature for humans to hit the reset button (Slow Down. It’s Time, April 13). Disasters are the greatest equalisers. Though, as the author noted, the poor take the first hit and are brutally impacted by sudden mitigation policies. Lockdown is a good mitigation policy—the idea is to make people stay where they are to contain the spread, so there is no question of giving migrants time to return home. But not everyone has equal access to food, water and shelter. The Centre should have worked with states on a back-up plan for the underprivileged. Mitigation and preparedness are two pillars of managing disasters. While stringent mitigation measures were implemented, preparedness was missing. So this is not just a wake-up call from nature to humanity, but also for those in power to take disaster planning and mitigation seriously.
Beulah E. Lazarus, Chennai
It is unfortunate that even during a pandemic, some leaders, both political and religious, prioritise personal gain over the health of the nation. The chief culprit is the chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee. She chose to ignore the lockdown guidelines and instead governs with an eye on the 2021 elections. Mamata’s sectarian outlook may boomerang on her. Lockdown is in national interest, not in Modi’s. Many nations have implemented it in the absence of a vaccine/cure for COVID-19 and India is no exception. Bengal can’t seek an exemption just because the CM wants to win over certain votebanks.
Duggaraju Srinivasa Rao, Vijayawada
