{"id":3658,"date":"2020-04-13T06:08:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-13T06:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/?p=3658"},"modified":"2022-11-20T06:10:51","modified_gmt":"2022-11-20T06:10:51","slug":"coronavirus-pandemic-a-shared-responsibility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/coronavirus-pandemic-a-shared-responsibility\/","title":{"rendered":"Coronavirus Pandemic \u2013 A Shared Responsibility"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"3658\" class=\"elementor elementor-3658\" data-elementor-settings=\"{&quot;ha_cmc_init_switcher&quot;:&quot;no&quot;}\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3968f50c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3968f50c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6b7e69d9\" data-id=\"6b7e69d9\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-292b045a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"292b045a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The coronavirus pandemic has pushed India into a state of uncertainty. Healthcare professionals are fighting in cohesion against this disease whose antecedents and treatment options are yet unknown. However, one cannot deny that the unprecedented nature of this epidemic has prompted its people to take a united stand in tackling this contagion. The fight against this novel disease cannot be won unless we assume shared responsibility, though this appears a bit challenging as the high density of population involving a major part living in rural villages and urban slums is at a high risk of being afflicted by the virus spread due to community transmission.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The government-mandated lockdown has had a dampening effect on the country\u2019s economy as business houses clamped down on their operations leaving the informal class stranded amidst a sudden job crisis. The unprivileged section was\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/aiding-migrant-workers-amid-covid-19-lockdown\/\">forced to migrate<\/a>\u00a0to their villages and towns, thus, testing the states\u2019 preparation to deal with this sudden exodus.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mobilization of Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>To deal with a pandemic of such unequaled proportions necessitates mass mobilization of resources apart from the optimization of those at our disposal. While we applaud the incumbent government\u2019s efforts to contain the virus spread, it becomes imperative for us to come forth and extend help where necessary. The private sector has shown tremendous efforts in helping the government by donating huge amounts to the PMCares Fund, hiking production of sanitizers, masks, personal protection equipment, and building hospitals at short notice besides facilitating food and shelter to the migrant laborers dependent on their daily wages for survival. An increasing number of people are contributing in an individual capacity apart from paying advance wages to their domestic workers and their helpers.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3621\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/IMG_9737-1024x683-1-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Mission Education children receive COVID-19 aid\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/IMG_9737-1024x683-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/IMG_9737-1024x683-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/IMG_9737-1024x683-1.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Collective Responsibility is the Key<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While the government has been ramping up efforts to identify possible\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/aiding-migrant-workers-amid-covid-19-lockdown\/\">the coronavirus pandemic hotspots\u00a0<\/a>and test more people to track the spread, we citizens must adhere to government guidelines and take care of all necessary precautions listed for our safety. Exhibit collective responsibility by maintaining the prescribed physical distancing or going outside only to buy essential commodities. While we educate our children about the importance of washing hands regularly with soap and water, we must also consider donating soaps and sanitizers to the marginalized groups to help them maintain personal hygiene.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Avoid participating in mass gatherings, overcrowded places or religious congregations is another way prescribed to avoid encountering possible virus carriers, thus, helping stifle a possible plague-like situation.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Educate the Vulnerable<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Most evils in society stem from illiteracy and poverty. Fake news circulating on social media platforms or mischief mongers peddling hate messages have aggravated unwarranted psychological stress among the uneducated and uninformed. As a society, we must educate these people on the latest developments while drawing their attention to essential steps like wearing clean masks, frequent washing of hands, cooperating with healthcare workers carrying out door-to-door surveys and rushing to the nearest hospital on a sudden onset of early symptoms.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3661\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/IMG_9698-1024x683-1-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/IMG_9698-1024x683-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/IMG_9698-1024x683-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/IMG_9698-1024x683-1.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Stigmatization and discrimination against coronavirus warriors or frontline workers have put many lives to risk. Educating the masses about how their unprincipled attitude will aggravate the problem is a must. Participating in public awareness campaigns to share reliable information will ensure the implementation of best practices in our fight against this pandemic.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Collective Recognition<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Coronavirus pandemic is a national problem that needs to be recognized and tackled collectively. Flattening the curve can be gained only by assuming collective responsibility to ensure that no Indian remains bereft of <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/health\/\"   title=\"Health\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"734\">health<\/a> and social policy responses. Extending help and necessary support in the spirit of solidarity will fortify the government\u2019s directed efforts at tackling the disease.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Not too many people can remain stoic in a situation like this. However, unwarranted panic will not help ease the situation either. Taking precautionary steps, ensuring timely treatment and following government-issued recommendations in letter and spirit will help overcome this difficult situation within a few months.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Smile Foundation is also working relentlessly towards doing its part in providing relief to underprivileged people by providing them with dry rations. The kit will consist of food, medicines, soap, and sanitizer for people to maintain both health and hygiene. In addition to this, teleconsultation of the existing beneficiaries of Smile\u2019s health vertical will be conducted to keep a track of their health. People will be connected with digitally by Smile on Wheels agents and a record of their health conditions will be maintained. They will also be referred to a doctor or medical institution in case of a medical emergency.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A situation like a coronavirus pandemic requires us all to come together to help the most helpless overcome the difficulties alongside ourselves. Smile aims to bring together all the communities in this fight against an invisible enemy through communal effort through awareness and aid.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The coronavirus pandemic has pushed India into a state of uncertainty. Healthcare professionals are fighting in cohesion against this disease whose antecedents and treatment options are yet unknown. However, one cannot deny that the unprecedented nature of this epidemic has prompted its people to take a united stand in tackling this contagion. The fight against [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3659,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-smile"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3658","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3658"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3658\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3658"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3658"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3658"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}