Spanish flu of 1918 took millions of lives across the globe. This was a major setback on
humanity. Even in Before Christ era, several plagues were recorded as pandemics – a
disease with the potential to permeate whole of population of planet. CoViD-19 is the
largest pandemic of human history, causing over 35 million deaths in 15 months.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which produce mild to moderate respiratory
illness in animals like pigs, bats, camels and cats. Sometimes, a spill-over occurs to
sicken human beings. Three of these spilled-over viruses can be deadly: SARS
Coronavirus 2002, MERS Coronavirus 2014, and SARS Coronavirus 2 2019. The third
novel coronavirus causes the disease known as Coronavirus Disease 2019 commonly
termed as CoViD-19. This Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has a huge spread rate. World
Health Organisation (WHO) declared CoViD-19 as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Since
then, it has played havoc all over the world.
In Pakistan, first cases of CoViD-19 were reported in March 2020. Many of these were
reported in overseas Pakistanis returning home in the wake of declaration of CoViD-19
as a pandemic by WHO. Returning pilgrims from Iran and preachers of Islam were also
found positive. A gradual but quick lockdown was in force. National Command and
Operation Centre was formed in April 2020 to deal with the pandemic. It held meetings
frequently to oversee the situation and spread of the disease. Capacity of hospitals was
increased. Additional places to keep patients quarantined were organised. Standard
operating procedures (SOPs) were devised and implemented. Most important were
using of masks, keeping social distance, and washing hands with soap and water
repeatedly.
By a national effort, Pakistan stayed relevantly safe from the disease. But severe effects
on economy can be seen. Government tried to restrict itself to smart lockdowns – a
localized lockdown in smaller community where CoViD cases were reported. But
factories, transportation, cinemas, event halls and marquees, educational institutions,
restaurants, hotels, markets, and shopping malls were shut to avoid crowding of
people. This caused huge damages to already ailing economy, and education of the
nation’s youth. The loss of life tolled to 21000 in 15 months.
The coronavirus vaccination which came at end of 2020, was announced for older
population and special vaccination centres were developed all over Pakistan. Gradually
it was opened for all adult people. SOPs, lockdowns, and vaccination are working
simultaneously to keep people safe until the entire population mass is vaccinated.
The world history has got a new dividing line, pre-CoViD-19 and post-CoViD-19 era.
The post-CoViD era has urged people to make united and disciplined efforts against
their troubles. The people are now trying to search for alternate sources of livelihood
and digital world is welcoming them. Traditional sources of education and earning
were felt obsolete and new terms ‘online education’ and ‘online business’ were seen
more frequently. The pandemic traced out the deficiency in public life and habits, and
people are tending to take corrective measures.
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