A SHORT SUMMARY ON GLOBAL IMPACTS OF COVID 19

Let's Talk About the Second Wave of Covid 19 Pandemic:

The world is again facing the same dramatic changes in their lives as noticed at the start of the year 2020. 

CORONA VIRUS UPDATES - November 2020; we are again going to face the same scenario as we have experienced at the start of the year.  Small lock-downs, minor lock-downs, smart-lock-downs, and then finally major-lock-down policies are again creating hype that will lead us towards the ultimate lockdown of all sectors. It was never experienced ever that bustling metropolitans would ever come to a halt but the pandemic proved it wrong. 

However; the situation is desperate, people are more petrified this time as this would be the 2^nd wave.  Unfortunately; in the past, the 2nd wave of pandemics had the worst effects and a higher death toll was observed.

Let’s have a look at the historical effects of the 1918 Pandemic Influenza second wave and major pandemics in the 20^th & 21^st century that had millions of dead toll:

Visualizing the History of Pandemics

However; the situation is vague, nations are putting their best efforts to minimize the death toll and on the other hand the developed and developing countries are working 24/7x365 to invent the cure for the disease. Perhaps; few countries including the USA, France, UK & China had started claiming that the Covid-19 vaccine has been invented and tested successfully and might be available in the market till March 2021.  Therefore; we must hope for the best because it’s not the 19^th or early 20^th century when the cure for such viruses was a far cry and science had not many advancements.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION REPORTING ON CORONA

WHO’s efforts have been tremendous during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Since the first day to date, there close coordination with the country's health departments, direct interventions to affected areas, providing financial & instrumental aid has no doubts but specifically WHO reporting global statistics trends is the best available resource around the globe.  On the other side, UNESCO & UNICEF are also sharing the updated educational institution worldwide closure reports regularly:

 Visit the WHO Web Site for more details & updates!

Until November 2020 approx. 60m confirmed Corona cases reported and unfortunately approx. 1.4m death toll; reported by WHO

Still, the situation in the USA and European countries are worst as compare to African & Asian countries

The consequences of Pandemics, Economic Crises, and Wars had decades of deep impacts on society.  It directly or indirectly affects Health, Social, Education & Economical sectors.  Corona Virus global lockdown had badly impacted the socio-economic factors, particularly education systems around the world.   Although pandemics have a direct impact on Health; subsequently Food, agriculture, economic security; Social cohesion, and social tensions; Migration and mobility indicator had also diminished dramatically, but in particular, it had embedded the dark picture on social impacts.  What were, are, and would be the impacts of Covid 19 in our society globally, let’s have some discussion on Social, Economical & Education systems.

Global Impact of COVID-19 on Social Sector

As we know that Socialization is strongly connected to the development of human psychology.  The socializing process not only encompasses learning and teaching processes from the society but influences cultural norms, behaviors, traditional & religious beliefs, education (formal/informal), politics, business, ethics & everything; thus the development of human personality overall.

Since the last century, the world is already concerned by the drastic change in the social system due to technology which has deep impacts on our society.  Besides the revolution of information technology where things are on maximum ease, high-tech, modern, informative but on the other hand, the world is also facing the negative impacts of technology on social norms & health.

“today our children are brilliantly using their screen devices while they are unable to ride their bikes or tie their own shoes without relying on help from others.” Introduction of computers to children at a very young age can have adverse effects in their personal lives, relationships in the family and friends since they will constitute a major part of the children’s lives.”

“Such effects of excessive preoccupation with computers leading to social isolation have also been seen in adults hence, it poses a danger to both. (Kupfer, 1995; Stoeltje, 1996) “Technology addiction can lead to social isolation which is characterized by a lack of contact with other people in normal daily living which could in the workplace, with friends, and in social activities”. (Hosale, 2013) It can also cause a condition called Neurosis which deals with psychological and behavioral disorders. Its symptoms include anxiety, sadness or depression, anger, irritability, mental confusion and may also lead to a sense of low self-worth.”

Covid-19 pandemic social distancing, self-isolation, commuting restriction have caused serious implications in society.  This would leave a long-lasting impact on children’s educational, social, mental, and health activities.  The increasing number of domestic violence and the question of saving vulnerable people in society are also under consideration.  But the affected factors globally are different depending upon the country’s demographic condition, climate, economics, political, and governance structure.

Global Impact of COVID-19 on Macro-Economics

“The short-term collapse in global output now underway already seems likely to rival or exceed that of any recession in the last 150 years.” Kenneth Rogoff, Professor of Economics, Harvard University”

World Bank Report (June 2020) reflects that the global economy will shrink by 5.2% this year which represents the deepest recession since World War II.  It is also anticipated that the dip of about 7% in advanced countries, 2.5% emerging & developing country's economy will be affected. But the most alarming situation is Per Capita's income that is expected to be declined by up to 3.6% that is an indication of leading millions of people into extreme poverty in the year 2020. This is not the first time that nations are facing economic crises.  Our history has various economic recessions in the past. The most famous 5 are:

1.    The Credit Crises – 1972: Abrupt expansion of rapid bank credits in England by British Banks

2.    The Great Depression of 1929-39: Wall Street crash the USA

3.    The OPEC Oil Price Shock of 1973: Started by the Arab nation to retaliate the USA support for Israel in war

4.    The Asian Crisis of 1997: Originated in Thailand - Speculative capital flows from developed countries to the East Asian economies

5.    The Financial Crisis of 2007–08: Great Recession - the collapse of the housing bubble in the US, the collapse of financial institutions & spread worldwide

Moreover; the world economy has experienced 14 other global recessions: in 1876, 1885, 1893, 1908, 1914, 1917-21, 1930-32, 1938, 1945-46, 1975, 1982, 1991, 2009, and 2020 (World Bank Report).  The following graphs show the real picture:

Global Impact of COVID-19 on Micro-Economics

Due to business losses, job market down-sizing, increase the inflation rate, shortages of stock, etc may lead the countries towards global poverty.  It has been noticed that consumer sentiments are rapidly changing and re-evaluating purchasing patterns are observed.  Consumers prefer to invest only in necessities to secure their savings for an uncertain situation.  Consumer’s purchasing power decline is badly affecting the manufacturing sector that leads many manufacturing units towards shutdown and job losses.  On the other hand, the health sector is growing rapidly that is benefiting not only the manufacturing units, job opportunities, and supply chain businesses.  However; it has two disadvantages i.e. the health sector jobs are specific to highly skilled medical sciences professionals therefore fewer opportunities would be generated.  2ndly prices are not in control and it has been observed that during Corona Lockdown, 200% or more price rise was observed in the health sector.

 Global Impact of COVID-19 on Education

 COVID 19 along with other industry had badly affected the education sector around the world.  In early 2020 almost in March, the education sector was also closed.  The lockdown had affected almost 2 billion students of schools in almost 186 countries starting from Kindergarten to High School level.  Educational institutions' shutdown was very swift because Government & Parents both were concerned about protecting the children.  However; governments & institutions all around the world had immediately adopted the e-learning policy through various mediums including Internet, TV, Radio & Mobile to have online schooling through homes.  But this is obvious, that indeed the technology has grown rapidly during the last two decades and there are billions of customers in our cellular industry with access to 3G/4G services but still less than 40% of users in the world have access to computers & internet.  In under-developed countries, it is less than 20%.  Therefore, online schooling was not that effective for the target audience as it was expedited.  2ndly the people in the society who were only able to have a conventional education system, when converted to e-learning scenario were failed or observed various hurdles.

Worldwide Schools Closures during Covid-19: UNESCO tool for Global Monitoring of Schools Closures causes by COVID-19 that demonstrate the visual evolution from 16^th Feb 2020 to date and updating continuously.

UNICEF: Share of countries implementing digital and broadcast remote learning policies, by education level

Problems also bring opportunities! COVID-19 lockdown and its effects on society had left & will be leaving many lessons learned. There is still a lot to do.  Countries must develop & deploy effective strategies for handling the worst scenarios created by wars, pandemics, recession, or else.  Although we had faced several in the past; but humans after decades of having new generations are unable to recognize the intensity of danger.

Princess Laurentien’s wake-up call not only reflects the challenges in education but every aspect of the society needs to be equally treated to coup-up the worst situation.