Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly
discovered coronavirus. Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will
experience mild respiratory illness and recover without the need for specialized
treatment. Older people, as well as those with underlying health problems such
as heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer may be more
susceptible to serious illnesses.[1] Coronavirus has sent 1.5 billion people
into their homes and millions of people around the world are living in extremely
difficult times because of the rapid global spread of the coronavirus, [2]COVID-19.
All my thoughts are on people infected with the virus, families and people
around them and those who have lost loved ones. Coronavirus raises human rights
issues. Limitations on individual freedom need to be clearly defined in the law
and must be just and equitable. It is important to make sure that the measures
do not discriminate or discriminate against any national group or minor. While
mobile applications may help to facilitate the spread of this virus, we must
remain vigilant about the potential use of the information gathering technology
to collect private information. Human rights are important.
They are always there. But I no longer see myself at the core of this unique
moment in history. In China, many patients had to be evacuated from hospitals
after hours of overcrowding due to the large number of sick people. Shortages of
testing and treatment have been reported. Due to the high volume of patient
interventions in Italy, doctors are forced to decide whether to treat the
elderly or not, or leave them to die. A photo of a nurse crushed due to a heavy
load at an Italian hospital was widely circulated as a symbol of an overdose
program.
There have been reports of increased racism against Asian people, especially
Chinese people in Europe and America. The World Health Organization's emergency
committee has issued a statement advising all countries to take note of the
Article 3 of the IHR (International Health Rules), which WHO warns of
"actions that promote prejudice or discrimination," when making national
response to the outbreak.
A Washington Post photographer has captured the footage of US President Donald
Trump's speech in which he released the word "coronavirus" and replaced it with
the word "Chinese virus." [3]in different places. However, he said he did not
believe his statements were racist because the virus originated from there, and
that he intended to counter the Chinese propaganda that the American military
brought the virus to China.
Millions of people who live from hand to mouth have already begun losing their
monthly salaries (the right to livelihood), and thus will be unable to pay rent
or mortgage or put food on the table (right to a standard of living). Many of
those who become ill do not have paid sick leave, and for those who do, it
seldom covers their actual salary.
The trillion-dollar world economy is crashed and there is no hope left for
some Amnesty International reports that the Chinese government has issued
several articles relating to the coronavirus epidemic in China. Nicholas
Bequelin, Regional Director at Amnesty International criticized that:
Chinese authorities are risking information that could help the medical
community deal with the coronavirus and help protect people from exposure to it.
India has seen numerous incidents of people from the north-eastern parts being
labeled as
coronavirus because of their racial resemblance to China,
where the epidemic began. This is behind the existing racial problems that
people from these regions continue to face. Indian Minister of State for
Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju has made a statement in response to an increase
in incidents of racial strife by north-eastern India.
The logic of executive power is straightforward: during a state of emergency,
governments need flexibility to address emerging threats and to exercise all
power vested in the state to alleviate the situation. While clearly the
consequences of states assuming so much power varies, history teaches that
emergency measures are frequently abused and at times become permanent. Indeed,
they can provide fertile grounds for widespread human rights violations and may
even provoke a transformation from democracy to a totalitarian regime.
Although we are still in the pandemic's early days, worrisome tendencies have
begun to manifest themselves in a number of countries. From China to Israel,
governments have required citizens to install smartphone apps, allowing
officials to track individuals and determine whether they can leave their homes.
In the United Kingdom, local elections have been postponed by a year and the
police have been given powers to arrest suspected coronavirus carriers.
Meanwhile, several countries have used the coronavirus pandemic as a
justification to stifle social dissent, banning assemblies and protests. And
Israeli Minister of Justice Amir Ohana decided to freeze court activities (thus
postponing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial) before the country even
experienced its first coronavirus-related death.
The fear is that the rapid adoption of such policies may well be the start of a
much broader process curtailing basic political and civil rights. Where
governments overreach in this way, they must be swiftly resisted. The different WhatsApp
and other virtual groups currently being created within our communities to help
those experiencing hardships will need to be mobilised to launch widespread
opposition.
Across the globe, the multibillion-dollar tourism industry has been brought to a
standstill, while schools and businesses are shutting their doors, and thousands
of companies are being forced to decrease production or temporarily
shut assembly and manufacturing plants. This is already disrupting global supply
chains as well as demand for goods and services. In the coming days, then, we
can expect to see a domino effect, which will lead to a dramatic economic
collapse.
The concept of managerial power is straightforward: in an emergency, governments
need to be flexible in responding to emerging threats and use all the power
provided by the state to calm the situation. Although the effects of high energy
sources are varied, history teaches that emergencies are often abused and
sometimes permanent. Indeed, they can provide an open excuse for excessive human
rights violations and may provoke a transition from democracy to a totalitarian
state. Even though we are in the early days of the epidemic, bad habits have
begun to manifest in many countries.
From China to Israel, governments have required citizens to install smartphone
apps, allow officials to track down certain people and decide whether to leave
their homes. In the United Kingdom, local elections are postponed for a year and
police are empowered to arrest suspected coronavirus carriers.
Currently, many countries are using the coronavirus epidemic as an excuse to
curb public conflicts, block meetings and protests and Israeli Minister of
Justice Amir Ohana has decided to release the court's duties (thus postponing
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial) before the country even received its
coronavirus-related death for the first time.
Fears that the rapid adoption of such policies could be the start of a much
broader process of reducing basic political and civil rights. When governments
act in this way, they must act quickly. Alternative WhatsApp and other groups
that are currently being formed in our communities to help those who are
struggling will need to be mobilized to present increased opposition.
Across the globe, the multimillion-dollar tourism industry has been set up, with
schools and businesses closed, and thousands of companies are being forced to
slow down production or temporarily shut down assembly and manufacturing plants.
This is already affecting the viability of supply chains and demand for goods
and services. In the coming days, however, we can expect to see a domino effect,
which will lead to a major economic downturn.
Millions of people living on their hands and feet have begun to lose their
monthly income (the right to make a living), and as a result cannot afford to
pay rent or accommodation or put food on the table (right standard of living).
Most sufferers do not have sick leave, and for those who do use it, it rarely
sums up their real income.
The multimillion-dollar economy has collapsed and there is no hope left in other
countries, medical research is underway and all we can do is stay home safely
and take steps to safety and hope for the best.
End-Notes:
- https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
- https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/in-global-fight-against-coronavirus-over-1-5-billion-told-stay-home-1658938-2020-03-24
- https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/newsfeed/2020/03/trump-defends-calling-coronavirus-chinese-virus-200323102618665.html
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