A deceleration of the virus on account of a global lockdown has emerged in certain parts of the world, especially in Europe. Many governments are figuring out how to reopen the economy with the virus still a threat in the society. First people must have this utmost confidence that they can resume their lives without risk of catching the virus. To this effect, they highly need to better understand the spread and the risk of the virus itself. And to give citizens, organizations, corporates, workers and consumers that confidence that life is returning to a degree of normality, a wider approach of testing is vital.

But let us be sincere and transparent. As per Dr Sterghios Moschos, Molecular Virologist, “We still do not understand what immunity to the virus means. Antibody testing has not been good enough.” As per Dr Cory Deburghgraeve, Anesthesi- ologist, “It’s a powerless feeling watching someone die. The oxygen level drops, the heart beat drops, the blood pressure drops. These patients are dying on the ventilator. Too much air pressure damage the lungs but too little means oxygen can’t get in. Doc- tors try to optimize.” Lifestyle will not be same as it was and business as usual might not return back until a vaccine is found against Covid-19.

The economic costs of the lockdown are colossal. Governments across the world are facing the greatest economic crisis since the great depression of 1929. A choice had to be made between economic wellbeing and health. Politicians, medical experts, both public and private, and economists shared the same consensus of a shutdown to save lives. The disastrous economic consequences of this shutdown have unfortunately got numbers. Without sustained government support to business entities, small businesses, both formal and informal, and to workers, businesses will be on the brink of failure and citizens will face utmost hardship and poverty. Getting poorer creates inequalities and impacts health. Money and financial benefits have been extended into the pockets of citizens. Solidarity, compassion, humility and mutual help do make a huge difference in these moments of pandemic crisis.

Countries presently face two challenges ahead namely: 1. To lift the official lock down. 2. Prevent a second wave of infections and save lives. The economy will be opening in phases. All offices, work stations, production, transport and procedures need to be redesigned to enable social distancing and the wearing of masks. In the event that it is difficult to practise social distancing in public, faces need to be covered. This order is al- ready in force in New York, New Jersey and Maryland. Citizens likely to behave in unofficial quarantine after the end of the lockdown is real. Economic activities will be on a lower path over the next twelve months. It will be on the second quarter of 2021 that the world economy will pick up.

“Everyone should do his or her best because every place is vulnerable. No one should ignore this virus.

The best thing for Mauritius at this junction of the Covid-19 pandemic is that we need to prepare ourselves and the country becoming stronger. MIT economist E. Verner, co-authors a new study that found out that “cities that took more aggressive steps to curb the 1919 Spanish flu emerged with stronger economies than cities that did less.”

According to Dr Dale Fisher, Professor at National University of Singapore, “the End Game of the pandemic is the vaccine. Until then, there will be many mini outbreaks over the world in different contexts. To enable the reopening of the economy and prevent a second wave of infections it is crucial to uplift the health system in terms of equipments, fittings; and antibiotics, antivirals and sedatives to treat patients. That’s what the authorities are doing right now.” Testing remains the key to monitoring the rate of infection and controlling it; and putting the system well in place to deal with more cases, isolate the positive patients, do the contact tracing and the quarantine well managed.

All these crucial components are to be well in place before any lockdown is removed. Making sure the social distance followed, temperatures are taken at various outlets and to stay away from crowds. All these rigorous steps are necessary to mitigate a second wave of infections when the economy will be reopening. Everyone should do his or her best because every place is vulnerable. No one should ignore this virus. A second wave of infections can shake people confidence in engaging in even limited amount of shopping. We should all come stronger from this to face the future with faith and hope.