WILL THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE DISEASE?

This is a fear that’s doing the rounds of Whatsapp messages, editorials and even the occasional presidential tweet. What will happen after 14 April? Talking to government officials it does seem as if the economic crisis is very much there on the Prime Minister’s mind as he walks the tightrope between the medical and the economic. The Cabinet Secretary recently indicated that there were no plans of extending the lockdown, but that was before the Tablighi cluster meet broke. During his meet with the Chief Ministers, the Prime Minister spoke about figuring out an exit plan. There is talk that while the lockdown will be lifted, it would be with restrictions, with the focus being on the vulnerable groups such as those in their seventies and above. Most schools have already been shut till 1 May. However, most industrialists are arguing against the lockdown, claiming (and quite rightly) that since India is not a welfare state, it is looking towards the corporate sector to tide over the crisis. But the industry too needs to make money. Rahul Bajaj is one of those who has spoken out in an interview where he says, “I see no logic in a sweeping lockdown in a country in which 94% are below 65. We should keep seniors at home, close public spaces and allow the rest of us to keep life moving forward.”

This is an argument that’s gaining ground. To sequester the vulnerable, and allow the rest to resume work, albeit keeping social distancing in mind, is one option. It would also allow herd immunity to kick in, but then this does lay one open to the charge of Social Darwinism, for this was one of the criticisms against the Britain’s early “Keep Calm & Carry On” approach to Covid-19.