MARCH 28, 2020
KARO-NA! Reinventing The Wheel
One of my American friends, after reading my notes, asked me - what is the meaning of KARO-NA? I never realised the title of my writings need explanation, as I am circulating these writings around the world to seek suggestions and critics. KARO-NA, in hindi, stands for “Let us do it”. I am sure Nike is not going to sue me for this title.
After discussing with my friends and teachers, I realised how much value they can add to my knowledge and understanding about COVID-19. Two specific instances deserve mention here: a friend suggested that I should make my writings more cohesive by improving the language and my teacher from USC advised that I must give reference to the source of information and data used by me. How relevant are both the suggestions! This made me think about the imperativeness of exchange of knowledge and information, on a real time basis, employed by the different countries in their dealings with various stages of COVID-19 situations. Since there is no time lag in the spread of this deadly virus, we do not need experiences but real time knowledge and information. What Italy, Spain, and the USA is suffering is for the world to see. It certainly could have been mitigated by mere exchange of science, technology, and information technology among the affected countries on the real time basis.
Had China shared information about this disease, its contagious nature, manner, and methodology of social distancing, the rest of the world would not have suffered to the extent it is suffering today. Even the formation of a joint task force, to jointly deal with different stages of this epidemic would have drastically reduced fatalities around the world. This knowledge sharing would have accentuated the dire repercussions of non compliances of best practices. One notable serious consequence was pointed out by a leading Italian microbiologist Dr. Daniela Cirillo: Italy did not start testing till very late and could not guide their doctors and gear them up to deal with infected persons. This wreaked havoc as more than a hundred doctors died, which created a serious deficit in the medical workforce to deal with the deluge of infected cases. The consequence is that today Italy is struggling to contain the last mile effect of this pandemic - mortality.
There is no denial that with massive technological intervention, the world has become economically one. There are instances after instances where sharing makes huge economic sense - telecom infrastructure, oil and gas pipelines, satellite sharing etc. Therefore, it is beyond the sensibility of a prudent man as to why the world is not “one” in this pandemic, which is much beyond economics. The world is reinventing the wheel! No one is willing to go “one” to deal with this monster together. Just imagine 5000 experts sitting on a common server in a virtual room and sharing information on ways and means of disease surveillance, contact tracing, evacuations, quarantine methods, vaccine research, financial implications, human migration etc., on a real time basis. Based on this pool of information, human intelligence and artificial intelligence could prepare their responses and deal with emerging situations on the ground. Simple sharing of information that all the front line medical staff should be provided health gears would have saved at least 100 doctors in Italy. The way Korea deployed its army to sanitize its buildings, roads, offices, hospitals etc., is a case study in itself. How difficult is it for any country to replicate it?
With waning legitimacy of multilateral platforms and where allegations and counter allegations are flying thick, it is imperative that the world creates a common enforcement mechanism and that is possible with only one thing - intent. In this battle, the aftermath is going to be very painful for humanity. It is not that the world is not equipped for such a module. Instances like e-meetings of G7 and G20 forums and the global commitment of $5 trillion are testimony to the fact that “one vision” is possible. Some will and transparency would go a long way. Recently, SAARC countries have proposed creating a common WhatsApp group to share and exchange information, knowledge, expertise, and best practices for jointly combatting this epidemic.
Right now, we are at the peak of this battle and have a long way to go. Whether we survive or perish would depend on common sharing of resources. Creation of any kind of technology or intelligence would be worthwhile only if it can be put to use in current situations. Being one today, will create a better tomorrow.