Good, Bad, & Caution

Good news first. While India's population is 17% of the world, we have 7% of COVID19 cases globally. So far, so good. Whatever the reasons might be, as they say, let's count our blessings!

The second chart is more important. It says in India, 19 people have died in COVID for everey 1,000,000 people as against 416 in the US. And the graph doesn't say is that in UK, the figure is 687. Once again, we don't know what the precise reasons are, but this seems very low considering our dysfunctional public health system. Let's salute our doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers who have made it happen. Let's also salute the police and municipal workers who went from door to door to keep the pandemic under check. The death rate has been much higher among these groups. Let's bow to the people who have laid down their lives and feel for their families.

The map tells us that there's not a single pandemic in India, there are many. Please check where you are and how serious is the threat to you.

The final graph is disconcerting. It tells us the situation is becoming worse by the day and in one respect, we are where we were in the end of March.

We have no idea when there will be a turnaround.

The purpose if this post is not to spread alarm. Let us make informed choices so that we are as safe as we can be. Criticising authorities won't save us. Our actions might. Let's do what best we can to save ourselves.

I know it is difficult for many, like my colleagues in banks, but let's avoid crowded places and keep two metres distance from others, wear a mask whenever we are out, treat the outer surface of the mask -- by default -- as contaminated and never touch it, and wash our hands (and the mask) when we get back home.

Take care, stay safe.

[All figures are up to 17 July 2020. The graphics are from CNN, who have got the data from Johns Hopkins University and the Government of India.]

19 July 2020