STOP VILLAINIZING BATS: SCIENTISTS, CONSERVATIONISTS
Why in news? There have been increasing incidents of the public destroying bat roosts and smoking them out. This is due to unverified news and social media posts linking bats to the COVID-19 outbreak. To raise awareness, 64 CHIROPTEROLOGISTS (THOSE WHO STUDY BATS) from six South Asian countries have released a document clarifying myths about bats and […]
STRATEGIC SHIFT – RESERVING HEALTHCARE FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST
Relaxation In a containment strategy tweak, those with a mild form of the disease, or are pre-symptomatic, would have the option of home quarantining. But their homes ought to have self-isolation facilities, a full-time caregiver, and daily health-status reports given to the district surveillance officer. Why is such a move done? The Health Ministry has […]
COVID-19 A GREATER IMPACT ON WOMEN
Introduction: Inequality exposed The pandemic is exposing and exploiting inequalities of all kinds, including gender inequality. The Lockdowns increase the risk of violence towards women trapped with abusive partners. Recent weeks have seen an alarming global surge in domestic violence while support services for women at risk face cuts and closures. The threat to women’s […]
LIMITATIONS OF ONLINE LEARNING
Why in news? Universities and colleges were in the middle of the second semester of their academic year when the lockdown was enforced. A few universities made hasty arrangements for teachers to continue to hold their classes virtually through video conferencing services such as Zoom. The transition to virtual modes was relatively less difficult for […]
AFGHAN PEACE AND INDIA’S ELBOW ROOM
Why in news? Earlier in April, the United Nations Secretariat held a meeting of what it calls the “6+2+1” group on regional efforts to support peace in Afghanistan. This “6+2+1” group includes six neighbouring countries: China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan; global players the United States and Russia, and Afghanistan itself. India was conspicuous […]
HOW THE OZONE LAYER HOLE OVER ARCTIC CLOSED?
Why in news? Last week, the European Union’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) announced that a hole in the Arctic ozone layer, believed to be the biggest reported, has closed. Why did it close? The ozone hole’s closing was because of a phenomenon called the polar vortex, and NOT because of reduced pollution levels due […]
PRIVACY CONCERNS DURING A PANDEMIC
Introduction quote The greatest danger to liberty lies in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but lacking in due deference for the rule of law. – Statement of the Supreme Court in a previous judgement. Extent of Powers to stop a Pandemic On one side of the argument, a pandemic is an existential threat […]
THE OUTLINE OF ANOTHER PANDEMIC COMBAT STRATEGY
Will India Extend or Lift the Lockdown? Considerations Experts say that without doubt there will be an increase in the number of cases once the lockdown is lifted. Graded approach to lift the restrictions can still help prevent a huge spike in cases and create a concomitant strain on the healthcare system. Any strategy adopted […]
SIGNALLING SUPPORT: ON RBI RELIEF FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
Why in news? The Reserve Bank of India’s decision to open a special facility to ensure the availability of adequate liquidity for the mutual fund industry is a timely move in signalling to investors that the central bank is alert to the need to preserve financial stability in these challenging times. In assigning ₹50,000 crore […]
LIFT THE LOCKDOWN & OPEN UP
Is the Curve Flattened? So far, India has done a phenomenal job of ‘flattening the curve’ as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reported a test positivity rate (TPR) of 4.4% (i.e., 1in 23 people tested were positive). Compared to India, the US had a TPR of 19.3%, Spain 18.2%, Italy 13.2% and Japan […]