COVID 19 Pandemic Is Not a Sprint, It's a Marathon

P. Srinivasa Reddy, B. Tech, M-B.A, L.L.M, Advocate Specializing in International Trade & Economic Law   It is morally imperative to protect lives and livelihoods for any government at all times. It's unfortunate but true that the pandemic has exposed non-resilience of our health system. Health and Healthcare is a reality and needs a pragmatic approach. Focus should be on more Testing, Tracing and Treatment   Governments should be prepared by necessary manpower, machinery and methodologies with suitable Infrastructure to be built on urgent basis, in contrast, governments and private, taking up on priority basis works like Roads, Flyovers. Darns, Bridge construction etc., instead of Hospitals, Testing labs etc. This is time for Governance with humane by engaging corporate companies, construction professionals and workers mandatorily in health infrastructure creation. Government need to declare and enforce policy and guidance in this direction. Political leadership should now approach COVID-19 with balancing "public health and economic health". The fact is government has chosen to bring economy to halt with no clear idea of how many lives can be saved in this manner. Workers, small & marginal business are more likely to face serious consequences, if relaxations, provided by Centre not extended. More than half GVA is contributed by the unorganized sector. The disproportionate burden of economic cost fallen on this large segment. Lockdown suffering has brought new discussion in democracies, globally. 1) Disruption and Economic pain justified. 2) Is it worth sacrificing economy and livelihoods to save lives 3) Should public health matters more than Economic Health.  Core of such questions by informed public and intellectuals is essentially because of policy dilemma by political leadership. It is universally accepted that till a vaccine is available for Covid, economy can’t remain shut down. Therefore political leadership should build policies with an objective to find ways to ensure lock down ends early without compromising on lives. Health security and Economic safety need to be balanced now and create confidence among citizens that CORONAVIRUS will exist and we need to live our lives with precaution. Now it’s time to explore new initiatives and alternatives to lock down as worldwide anti lockdown protests have increased demanding to open up economy for survival.