“From Crisis to Change” - The long term implication of COVID19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in late 2019, has had an unprecedented impact on every aspect of human life. As per WHO, over 680 million confirmed cases and more than 6.8 million deaths have been reported globally. Many hospitals worldwide faced severe capacity issues as patient hospitalization rates & ICU admissions soared. Studies indicate that the average length of stay for COVID-19 patients in hospitals ranged from 10 to 20 days, depending on the severity of the disease and the healthcare system’s capacity. Shortage of Beds, Medicines, Oxygen, Personnel etc. fuelled public panic. The economic repercussions have been staggering, with the IMF estimating a global contraction of 3.5% in 2020 resulting in a loss of over $2 trillion in economic output. Unemployment rates soared. ILO reports, 114 M jobs lost worldwide in 2020 alone. The pandemic pushed an estimated 97 million people into extreme poverty in 2020. Additionally, at the peak of the Pandemic, the education of approximately 1.6 billion students was disrupted. The pandemic triggered a global mental health crisis with a significant increase in anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. WHO estimated about 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety & depression worldwide. Over 13 B vaccination doses got administered globally by Mid, 2023. While vaccine distribution was uneven, the low income countries in particular suffered in accessing the vaccine. The COVID-19 pandemic has been thus a watershed moment in modern history, reshaping nearly every aspect of life across the globe. From the way we work and interact to the functioning of economies and governments, the pandemic has left an unforgettable mark.
The COVID-19 pandemic time has been hugely impactful across the globe. It has highlighted the interconnectedness of our world and the need for collective action to address shared challenges. While the challenges have been immense, they have also paved the way for innovation, resilience, and a renewed sense of global solidarity. As we move forward, let us not forget the lessons learned, and put in all our efforts now to develop a more resilient, equitable, and prepared world. Nations, governments, communities, and individuals must work together to ensure that the transformations brought about by the pandemic lead to a better future for all. Together, we can turn the scars of the past into the stepping stones of a brighter future.