Cuisines in Times of Corona (Day 14 -17) 7th - 10th April 2020

Day 14 -17 - From 7th to 10th April 2020 - Two Weeks of National Lock down

We continued experimenting on culinary front - we decided to catch up with the world and male "Dalgona Coffee". The drink had been trending across the social media and on digging the internet we found out that this is a whipped coffee with milk and ice. And also that it takes a lot of effort to make. We did not achieve much success with the dalgona variant, however the coffee was great to drink.The other experiment of the day was "Golgappe" or call it pani puri or phuchkas, depending upon which part of India you were living. Savour the pics.

Meanwhile the US president had "threatened" India with retaliation yesterday and on 7th April 2020, India agreed to release supply of Hudroxychloroquine (HCQ) to USA and other countries including Asian neighbors, Israel and Brazil among other countries. The news was presented in such a manner that India had succumbed to the threat. Western world media, Indian Political Parties and much of the Indian Media went into frenzy criticizing the government for ignoring domestic interests and putting lives of Indians in dangers. Even I was outraged. But as the news sank in, I had this gut feel that MEA, India would not let this without reaping any strategic benefits. PM Modi is not one to commit such a political Harakiri that would endanger Indian lives.

By the way, the efficacy of the HCQ drug was still not proven and all the hoopla about it was caused by President Trump voraciously advocating its use. Later, as sanity got restored, it turned out the retaliation remark was probably not targeted at India but the entire statement was part of a larger answer in response to a Journalist's question.

In another development, on 8th April - UP government had decided to completely seal the covid hot spots in 15 districts of the state. Initially the news spread with rumors that entire 15 districts were being completely sealed, however as clarifications came in, only the specified localities were being sealed. As governments were taking stricter measures to contain the spread of the covid-19 pandemic in their states, news broke in that PM would discuss the current situation and post lock down exit strategy in a Video conference meeting with CMs on 11th April. The nation had now a new topic - lock down extension and exit strategy.

#Breaking | PM @NarendraModi to interact with Chief Ministers of various states on April 11 to discuss the lifting of the lockdown.

The meeting will be held via video-conferencing. 

TIMES NOW's Nikunj Garg & Megha Prasad with details. pic.twitter.com/Q84mjgHw9E

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) April 8, 2020

I had been contemplating writing detailed articles rather than one-off tweet messages. First steps were taken with a thread on lock down exit strategy, on 8th April. A detailed opinion follows here.

Thread: humble suggestions on lock down exit strategy:

1.Remaining period of lock down including any extension should be used to strengthen the screening and testing infra at transit points such as airport/rly stn/bus stands.@NitishKumar @BiharHealthDept @sanjayjavin @PMOIndia

— Anant Bibhore (@Be_anant) April 8, 2020

The Lock Down Extension and Exit Strategies

India had imposed complete national lock down including all public transport from 25th March 2020 in its effort to contain spread of the covid-19 pandemic. While the lock down was meant to contain the spread of the virus, it had also stopped the nation's economy to a grinding halt. Everything had been closed - big and small, public and private, organised sector and unorganized sector, road, air & rail transport, everything. Only emergency medical services, police, defence and some key govt offices were functioning. 

The lock down had raised questions of survival for ~80% (my own guesstimate) of the work force who were working in unorganized sectors on daily wages, away from their homes and families. Governmental and Non-governmental interventions were reaching some of them, but longevity of such intervention required funds. And with almost complete shut down of economic activities, funds were difficult to come by, for governments as well as individuals and private enterprises. GST had dipped in March-2020 and I expected it to nose dive in Apr-2020 as most of the businesses were expected to remain shut for most part of April-2020 on account of the lock down. Welfare measures announced by the central and state governments could not be sustained with empty coffers.

On the pandemic front, the lock down had definitely slowed down the transmission of virus and India was much better placed than most other countries on the earth in terms of outbreak. The medical infrastructure had been readied in almost every corner of the country - from isolation wards and quarantine centers to testing centers and dedicated covid hospitals. Even the medical consumable essentials such as PPE, Masks, ventilators, gloves, medicines etc., which were in short supply at time of lock down being imposed, had either been procured or production capacities were being ramped up. It seemed the country was ready to handle community transmission outbreak, if and when it happens. But remember we were a nation of approx. 1.3 billion plus people with a below average medical infrastructure when compared with rest of the world.

The outbreak however continues to spread in many parts of the country. Mumbai had been particularly worst affected - both in terms of total cases and deaths. In Delhi, Tablighi Jamaat incident added fuel to the fire. Tamilnadu, Rajsthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and UP are other major states reporting more and more cases everyday. Lifting the lock down would undermine all the progress made during the lock down period.

In the context of above situation here is what I thought would be the right approach.

Continuing the lock down on public transport. Any relaxation in public transport would mean a maddening travel rush and thus a severely increased risk community transmission.

Continue strict vigil on inter-district movements and public gathering. Slower the spread, more is the time to prepare and better treatment of those infected.

Open up parts of economy, sorted into phases by their importance and geography - 

In the district which have reported no cases at all - economic activities may be restarted in phases - one economic sector at a time.

• Private Medical & diagnostic facilities which had remained shut down, should be opened up on priority basis as it represents the major part of Indian Medical infrastructure and will help prevent any avoidable loss of lives.
• Agriculture and allied activities may be allowed in all districts except covid hotspots and containment zones.
• Small establishments - such as garages, utility services such as electrician, plumbers may be opened in low infection rate areas.
• Large establishments, construction activities may be allowed with appropriate safety measures and physical distancing in dedicated areas or no infection areas.

Plan an evacuation strategy for people stranded all over the country - migrant laborers, poor, elderly, students etc. They represent the most vulnerable sections of the society.

• Migrant and poor are economically vulnerable and will not able to sustain the lock down in absence of livelihoods. The intensity of relief measures will decrease as lock down fatigue sets in. Left without food and money, such people will start migrating despite the lock down and may lead to a law and order situation as well.
• Elderly are vulnerable to medical risk and students, (specially the coaching institutes / undergrads) are too young and inexperienced to handle such a long time on their own. Most of come from economically weaker sections, studying in bigger district headquarter towns / education centers / state capitals / metros. While most of them had returned home before lock down, small but sizeable number is still out there. Would free up a lot of band width for administration.

Restrict Media - Electronic News Channels - They should be allowed to air only news and interviews, and NO GROUP DEBATE / DISCUSSION. The kind of narrative building and loud mouthing the media had turned into, a restriction on conduct of debate & discussion would keep the nation free from any conflict / controversy and focused on fighting the pandemic.

On personal front, connected with some friends, old and new, in the most severely covid affected region in the country - Mumbai and in the world - USA. Some of them responded immediately, others when they woke up in their time zones. It amazed me how the years of distancing had not affected out friendship - at least I thought so.

My grand father was also practicing his passion in the lock down days. He had written a wonderful poem in local dialect - Magadhi (also called Magahi) - and had got his recitation captured in a video. He asked me to make the video viral. While we were not certain of the video going "viral", we did share it with friends and family. Later I edited the video, included title and some novice special effects. Will share the video on one of the posts.

Towards the end of 8th April, Mr. Trump tweeted his thanks to India putting to rest on the "threat" politics and fear mongering that had been going on.

Extraordinary times require even closer cooperation between friends. Thank you India and the Indian people for the decision on HCQ. Will not be forgotten! Thank you Prime Minister @NarendraModi for your strong leadership in helping not just India, but humanity, in this fight!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2020

International realpolitik is not child's play. But the age of information technology / internet had made everyone an expert on all the subject. And they had access to mediums where they can voice their opinions - the social media.

Global total deaths crossed 100,000 on 10th April. USA, Italy, Spain, France and UK lead the table on deaths. USA total cases crossed 500,000 by end of 10th April.

Fried Bread slices
dipped in sugar syrup

Got the Dalgona Coffee right on 2nd Attempt - 9th April 2020