By Gautam Kumar

 "They will die. Because they are left to die. Even if our governments come to rescue, the world must remember, they were the first to be affected by this decision and the last one to be rescued."
Photo: PTI
The way this current nationwide lockdown is being implemented, it feels that this lockdown was meant to deal with the privileged and unprivileged class separately. The former at the cost of the latter. Something which could only be done after ‘Social’ distancing. Let's try to understand the sequence of events in India. 

The coronavirus reached India through the foreigners and Indians who came from abroad. A long continuous process. All of this was happening when the Corona outbreak in China was being discussed worldwide.  When India realized this, it was already late. We started discovering positive cases of COVID-19 in India. They were being quarantined. The healthcare resources were being used at its best to treat them. The numbers were low. To prevent the spread of this virus, various measures were taken. Schools/Colleges, public places, etc were being closed. The numbers were rising and became comparable to the number of cases during the second week after the Corona outbreak in the worse affected countries. Furthermore, transport facilities were being cut, Janta curfew, lockdowns, and similar measures were being taken to prevent the spread of this virus.  

Patients in initial cases (definitely the privileged ones) are well quarantined now. They are being treated. Many with mild symptoms went in self-isolation. For the remaining people, procedures were being circulated that how to be safe. How to maintain distancing. It was suggested to stay at home. Public places were being closed (malls, theatres, bars, restaurants). It is obvious that only privileged people go there. Also, one can live without it. Every arrangement was being done for a successful quarantine. And then, the 21 days nationwide lockdown was announced through a poor speech by the Prime Minister of India. People got panicked and rushed to stores to buy food and other essential items. It created a crowd indeed. 

They brought the virus to us and got themselves quarantined while the unprivileged are left to suffer.

Based on the menace occurring in Italy, we can understand that the initial cases were easily accommodated in hospitals. Those patients were the ones who came from abroad (who brought the virus). Even being one of those countries which provide the best healthcare in the world, hospitals in Italy lost the capacity to hold patients as the number rose exponentially. In the present situation, the doctors have no option but to choose whom to treat among the infinite number of COVID-19 patients. 

The same pattern could be seen in India. People brought this virus from abroad. They got detected. There are enough resources at this point in time to treat them. However, the numbers are rising rapidly and its a matter of debate if community transmission has already started in India. Dr. P Raghuram (Surgeon) on a live show at NDTV argued that we need to presume that we are in Stage 3 because the number of tests is not enough.  Now, anyone can be infected. However, for safety, the entire country is on lockdown. The Lockdown has brought people inside their homes. The privileged people have stocked food at their homes already. Those who have not, still have the privilege to buy.

Meanwhile, due to lockdown, the unprivileged people who don’t have the luxury to enjoy quarantining and trying various creative hobbies can't go on jobs and earn money. The daily wage workers, the migrant workers are running out of food. They can be seen being beaten up on roads for moving. They cannot go back home either.

Our messiahs announced big relief packages for the ‘poor’ unprivileged people. If they would have been in the crowd at their work, even now they are being pulled in the crowd to eat. What's the difference??? They are still prone to COVID-19.

Food distribution in Ghaziabad | Source- Scroll.in
The lockdown made no change in the lives of these unprivileged people in terms of physical distancing. The only difference is that they are now dependent entirely on the government’s goodwill and pity of privileged ‘Altruists’. In fact, they are the most vulnerable now. Moreover, the healthcare system of India cannot accommodate upcoming cases. Who cares? The privileged people are safe now. The burden of accommodating the upcoming patients will be on the already dying healthcare system of India. They would definitely be the ones who are most vulnerable at this point in time.

Only 0.55 beds per thousand people in India | Source: OECD

The previous patients had the privilege to be treated and accommodated in Hospitals. Who were those people? The privileged. The upcoming patients won't have the privilege to be treated and accommodated in Hospitals. Who would be them? The unprivileged one. They will die. Because they are left to die. Even if our governments come in rescue, the world must remember, they were the first to be affected by this decision and the last one to be rescued.

On the other hand, we are at our home. Quarantined. Safe. Still, we are afraid. This unplanned decision has jeopardized a big section of our population. A big problem. But you know what is the bigger problem? We, being served with the retelecast of Ramayana, in this crisis.