The pandemic seems to mock the 21-century humans on the verge of helplessness. Around the world, the pandemic has exposed the weakest links and provided a transparent exposure that politicians rather not discuss. Professor Ismat Zarin reports.
1. Bangladesh: Class Inequality
The lower-middle-class and poor people living in densely crowded slums, taking preventive measures for COVID-19 is a farce in Bangladesh exposing poverty and inequality.
2. Brazil: In peril
In Brazil, the death toll has crossed 146k as of now. Consequently, the beaches and streets in cities have been reopened ignoring the atrocities by the pandemic.
3. China: Human rights Violation
Annual Report on Human Rights singles out China as worst violator, denounces torture against Uyghurs, Falun Gong, Tibetans, activists, women, LGBT people, journalists, lawyers and doctor.
4. India: Media diversion
The country has crossed 7 million cases of Covid while the media gives undue coverage to Bollywood and other petty political issues.
5. Lebanon: Beirut Crisis
Besieged with the migration crisis, the pandemic affected Lebanon critically. A few months after the horrific Beirut blast, the country is once again thrown in turmoil.
6. Sweden: Disunity
In Sweden a great portion of its people is furious at the authority for not introducing a lockdown while others are pleased to have been spared draconian measures.
7. Russia: Political Crisis
Fueled by the pandemic, uprisings in Kyrgyzstan & Belarus and a war in the Caucasus region are undermining the influence of the Russian leader Putin.
8. U.S.A: Presidential Election
Caught amidst the presidential election, the populaces are left to plan for coping with the anticipated worst spread of COVID-19 during the upcoming winter.
9. UK: Migrant Crisis
The government’s response in handing the migrant situation has appalled the world once more with political leaders taking drastic measures violating these immigrants human rights.
10. Vietnam: Freedom of speech
Despite sweeping economic reform and increasing openness to social change, Vietnam’s ruling Party detests freedom of speech.
COVID 19 has disrupted the status quo, and exposed the hypocrisy of our government and our unsustainable lifestyle.
Ismat Zarin is an Assistant Professor at University of Asia Pacific and WhatsOn columnist.
