Confirmed COVID-19 cases exceed1 million worldwide, and the death toll is more than 50,000. Numerous economies imposed shutdowns of all but essential services like food, ordering citizens to shelter in their homes and avoid crowds. “Coronavirus prevention measures that include required or recommended confinement, curfews, and quarantines have been put in place in over 90 countries and territories,” reports Deutsche Welle. The disease is highly contagious, but protective equipment including masks, gloves and disposable gowns are limited, and governments strive to prevent overwhelmed hospitals. Slowed economic activity results in millions of people losing jobs. Deutsche Welle summarizes responses: distribution of aid to vulnerable nations by the World Bank, A World Trade Organization warning about disruptions in supply chains and potential food shortages, release of prisoners in multiple nations, threats to shoot quarantine violators in the Philippines and withholding of tests and treatment from refugees in some countries. Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha noted, “we all need to adapt for survival and have social responsibility, so that we can make it through this crisis.” Many leaders call for global solidarity and another article from Deutsche Well points out, “The virus has yet to arrive at full strength in developing countries, but poor health care facilities and weak finances point to grim times ahead.” – YaleGlobal
COVID-19 confines almost 4 billion people, half of Earth’s population and more countries extend restrictions to avoid overwhelming health providers
