Business vs Covid19 or Health before Wealth?

Hard-nosed business has been the bane of many countries when it came to controlling the spread of Covid 19. We see it all over the world, especially where business has influence/control over politics. USA, UK Brazil etc. have suffered and is still suffering the worst brunt of the virus outbreak. Why? Because they listened to business instincts than health warnings. Economics sense took priority over health risks. By their actions, they have jeopardized not only businesses and economies now, but the whole country as a result.

Only a few weeks ago in the Island newspaper, a doctor wrote a very pertinent piece on the choices we are left with in the face of the current pandemic. Open up the country for economic reasons and risk health repercussions or stay closed and healthy. One is at the expense of the other, whether you like it or not. It is the reality. She gave very prudent advice to look for safe economic activities that can flourish within a closed country, at least for the time being.

Sri Lanka which had strict lockdown in the 1^st wave of the pandemic, had almost negligible cases and deaths. We beat the virus beautifully. We were one of the top countries in the world to have done so. We have shown the world how it is done, for so many months. But then the economy was biting and Sri Lanka needed to listen to the rumblings of the businesses. As businesses were allowed to open, it was a matter of time.

One can bet on the hard nosed business people to break or flout the health guidelines at their whim. Brandix cluster is a prime example of bending and bypassing health regulations. It cost Sri Lanka a second wave and a heavy price in human lives. Now we are doing the same with tourism. Hard Nosed businessmen have already flouted the health rules within days, and burst the health bubble supposed to be maintained around tourists, Why this total disregard to the risk factors to the rest of the country? It’s Just to keep their businesses going. If the whole country is plunged into a health crisis because of it, is not their worry. Foreign currency jangling in their pockets, is all that matters.

Today the UK went into total lockdown. The USA will follow suit. Japan is declaring an emergency. The world is far from over the hill where Covid 19 is concerned. Sri Lanka will also have to come to total lockdowns soon, if the current trend in the virus spread continues, without being arrested. Whatever the methods and control systems that are in place are not working, it seems. We need to be dynamic in our policies and actions when dealing with this virus. If one method is not working, it needs to be changed, and changed very quickly. We need to respond accordingly.

Yes, the tourism industry is suffering. But this is not the time to revive it with the huge risks involved with that industry. Most countries have closed borders for foreigners. Even India. Some are not even opening to their own countrymen to come in from abroad, as in Canada. This is considering the risk the returnees pose to the rest of their countrymen at home. But what is happening in Sri Lanka? I think it’s a case of too many cooks spoiling the soup situation here. During the first wave, only the president was in charge and he was happy to let the health authorities do their work, unhindered by himself or anybody else. The task force formed was devoid of any political or business interests. They had no other agenda than saving the country from an unknown and microscopic enemy. The forces, police and the health sector was more than equipped to handle it and control it effectively. And they did. Then came elections, and the parliament, and the usual cacophony of noise, opinions, protests, oppositions, etc which the president is compelled to listen to. And of course, the voice of the businesses rose through the mouths of the politicians in the parliament. Rescue us, was their cry .We are going under, they screamed.

As the good doctor who wrote to the Island advised, we need to look local for business. To keep the economy ticking, there are a lot of businesses/economic activities that can be done along with health restrictions. Local supplies, local tourism, local produce and agriculture, and the biggest – the exports. Exports of produce, goods, and services like IT, financial services etc. All this can be done without opening the country to outside risks. We must adhere to the ‘Safety first’ rule, as said in any construction project site.

There are ample examples when health bubbles burst. It’s a matter of time. Brandix was one instance. Now the Ukrainian tourists’ project. It won’t be too long before we have a ‘tourism’ cluster too. This is not going to fare well with any tourist initiatives Sri Lanka will do in the future. Sri Lanka should be known for its wellness and health tourism. Going by the health guidelines ignorance shown by the businessmen, travel agents, service providers etc involved with it, wellness would be the last thing to be associated with Sri Lanka tourism. A country should not be put at risk for the fancy of one businessman, who wants to showcase his colors or rescue his tarnished reputation.

There are many countries that have fared well in the face of this tragic pandemic. Not just wealthy countries like New Zealand, Australia, China etc., who are rich enough to weather the economic battering of a total shutdown; but small countries like Vietnam and Cambodia who have cracked the secret of controlling the pandemic from ravaging their countries. Cambodia has NO deaths and a few 100’s of Covid cases since the pandemic began. How come? I’m sure they suffered economically as much as any other country. But their priorities were right. Health before wealth. Let’s do the same Sri Lanka. Because even if we pursue an economy driven agenda now, the virus will bring us to our knees soon, and force us to total lockdown, like it is doing in countries which dared to carry on business as usual with minimum restrictions. They are all forced to go into total lockdown now. The UK , USA are prime examples of business driven health policies, now paying the price with the lives of their citizens.

What is Sri Lanka’s choice? To go ahead and open up the country, calculating and knowing fully well the human cost of it, and accepting it. Or going it safe for everybody. Unfortunately it looks like this decision is up to the politicians to make. Not the health authorities nor police nor the armed forces, which managed it beautifully all on their own in the first wave of the pandemic.

CITIZEN S