Bobby believes that India could have improved its short-term strategy through better messaging and communication regarding prevention and spread of the disease. For example, educating citizens regarding the proper mask etiquette in closed spaces and the nature of COVID-19 virus - its tendency to remain suspended in air for up to 15 minutes.
Mainstream news channels and media hold high influence over the thoughts of a common citizen. Even a small change in language from 'prostitute' to 'sex worker' by the media, imparts dignity and sets precedence for making rights-based language a norm. Hence, media needs to be cognizant of critical matters and give voices to those who are unable to speak for themselves.
Instead, what we witnessed during COVID-19 was a large deviation from the same and criminalization of behavior of certain individuals or communities (e.g. the controversy of Tablighi Jamaat) which only served to create an atmosphere of animosity. Media's responsibility in times of crisis and information asymmetry is to the citizens of the nation - to minimize the spread of fake news and ensure fact-based journalism.
political motives need to fall behind national good
Decisions undertaken to maintain political appearance need to take a backseat - Implementing a nationwide lockdown, was taken without much thought of the several communities and their livelihoods. For example, millions of migrants had to expose themselves to larger risks due to the lockdown than they might have had to alternatively.
Bobby pointed
out that the major reason why all countries seem to be pulling out all the
stops is that COVID-19 (unlike TB) is not just a disease for the poor. It has
affected the 'rich and the powerful' who have influential power over our policy
decision-makers.
However, pro-people politics has proved its importance in terms of the ability
to combat the pandemic. Taking an example of Indian states, if we compare
Kerala's preparedness as well as their other socio-economic indicators with
other counterparts, we can see a clear difference that pushed them over the top
in terms of COVID-19 preparedness and response.
After discussions with Bobby and Shobha, one thing is clear to me - A model that focuses on pure economic development instead of sustainable development will only worsen conditions. We need to use this opportunity as a source of learning - to improve our healthcare by improving our other socio-economic policies and giving a voice to the marginalized. A feminist society grounded in empathy and equality will lead the way for our development.
Neha Mazumdar
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