Time to be kind

Sri Lanka is facing the COVID-19 crisis with determination and perseverance. When curfew lifted for a few hours on Monday, people were considerate in most instances; they remembered to maintain a one-metre distance from others and much of the panic buying witnessed earlier had lessened. So orderly has the public been that some people were seen quipping on social media that it took a global pandemic for Sri Lankans to learn to queue, but it has happened, finally. 

There have been many calls to support daily wage earners during this difficult time as well as fight mental health and abuse issues. It was reported on Monday that while the number of road accidents and other emergencies had diminished, the number of women coming into the National Hospital for treatment after being abused by their husbands had not diminished. This is a sad indictment of society and it is clearly essential for these social issues to be addressed. 

The Government should be praised for its efforts during this difficult period. The curfew, while a difficult step to take from an economic standpoint, was nonetheless essential to contain the spread of COVID-19. Even companies that had earlier resisted efforts to evolve and support their employers to work remotely had to come on board once curfew was imposed. It is hoped that despite the hit to businesses around the country, salaries will continue to be deposited as it is now the salaried workers who are assisting the elderly and poor to survive as well. 

Many public employees, including the military and healthcare workers, have been working around the clock to support the battle against COVID-19. Private sector workers have also been on the frontlines, especially at supermarkets, where they are exposed – often with few tangible benefits such as hazard pay. It is rather ironic that some of the worst-paid employee segments have now been deemed as “essential”. This could be a starting point for companies to re-evaluate who their most important staff are and find out ways to better support them. At a time when middle management or executives are at home, it is the drivers, the cashiers, the floor staff and those in other menial grades who are making a difference and literally serving the public. 

The battle against COVID-19 has certainly started, but it is by no means complete. There are clearly gaps in testing citizens in Sri Lanka. Ideally large numbers of people should be tested and cleared, much like what is happening in East Asian countries, for mobility to return. Unfortunately this does not appear to be possible at the moment locally and therefore curfew has become essential. When curfew is eventually lifted, it will be necessary to have fresh measures in place to contain any danger of community spread. 

Another challenge is scaling up the manufacture of protective gear, which could be needed in large quantities. Many countries including neighbour India are battling shortages and Sri Lanka has already started addressing this issue. Hopefully in the coming days this gap can also be filled. In the meantime, for the many thousands who are stuck at home, the best measure is to show kindness to those around you, pay attention to mental wellbeing as much as physical, and remain dedicated to ensuring no one within Sri Lanka is lost to COVID-19.