COVID-19 Pandemic Trajectory in the Developing World: Exploring the Changing Environmental and Economic Milieus in India (Advances in Geographical and Environmental Sciences)

We are witnessing an unprecedented global outbreak of COVID-19, which has been devastating in its consequences. Beyond the acute health hazard, the pandemic has carried with it other threats for mankind associated with the human economy, society, culture, psychology and politics. Amidst these multifarious dimensions of the pandemic, it is high time for global solidarity to save humankind. Human society, its ambient environment, the process of socio-economic development, and politics and power - all are drivers to establish the world order. All these parameters are intimately and integrally related. The interconnections of these three driving forces have a significant bearing on life, space and time. In parallel, the interrelationship between all these drivers is dynamic, and they are changed drastically with time and space. The statistics serve to align the thought, based on which social scientists need to understand the prevailing equation to project the unforeseen future. The trajectory of the future world helps in planning and policymaking with a scientific direction. The practitioners of all academic disciplines under the umbrella of the social sciences need a common platform to exchange ideas that may be effective in the sustainable management of the crisis and the way forward after it is mitigated. This book provides multidisciplinary contributions for expressing the solidarity of academic knowledge to fight against this global challenge. It is crucial that there should be an on-going discussion and exchange of ideas, not only from the perspective of the current times but keeping in view the preparedness for unforeseen post-COVID crises as well Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Contents Editors and Contributors Abbreviations List of Figures List of Tables Part IPandemic Trapped World 1 COVID-19 Pandemic Trajectory: Challenges and Opportunities for India 1.1 Introduction 1.2 The Pandemic Trajectory Around the Globe 1.3 COVID-19: The Challenges for India 1.3.1 The Acute Health Crisis 1.3.2 The Economic Recession 1.3.3 The Issues Concerning the ‘Social Stigma’ 1.4 The COVID-19 Crisis as the Catalyst for Change 1.4.1 An ‘Opportunity’ to Uplift Health Financing 1.4.2 Becoming Self-Reliant in PPE Production 1.4.3 Rediscovering the Agricultural Economy 1.4.4 A Shift Toward ‘Localization’ 1.4.5 A Real Push for Being ‘Digital’ 1.5 Conclusion References 2 Lessons from the Success Story: The Systematic Approach to Fight Against COVID-19 in Beijing 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Response of Beijing to the COVID-19 Pandemic 2.2.1 Specific Prevention and Control Measures 2.2.2 Effectiveness of Preventive and Control Measures 2.3 Lessons of the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 in Beijing 2.3.1 Cooperation of Government, Society, and Individual 2.3.2 Coordination of Anti-pandemic Production and Living 2.3.3 Combination of Coordination, Classification, and Collaboration 2.4 Suggestions 2.4.1 Strengthening the Coordinate Capacity of Government 2.4.2 Identifying Priorities for COVID-19 Pandemic Prevention and Control 2.4.3 Ensuring the Essential Production and Livelihood 2.4.4 Strengthening COVID-19 Dynamic Monitoring 2.4.5 Conducting COVID-19 Pandemic Prevention and Control Awareness Campaigns References 3 The Geography of COVID-19 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Conflicts, Tensions, and Challenges 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Pandemic Trajectory in Brazil 3.3 Rio de Janeiro State Is a Brazil’s Representation 3.4 Metropolitan Area of Rio de Janeiro: A Favorable Space for Contamination and Dispersion of the Pandemic 3.5 Conclusion References Part IIEmerging Debates 4 Boon for the Environment and Bane for the Economy: Emerging Debate in Pandemic Stuck India 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Reinvigorating Environment 4.2.1 Environmental Resilience Amidst Lockdown 4.2.2 Inhale Afresh Amidst a Gasping Economy 4.3 Turbulence in Economy 4.3.1 Pre-lockdown Economy: Was It Tranquil? 4.3.2 COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Economy 4.3.3 Disruption in the Demand Side 4.3.4 Stagnation in the Supply-Side 4.3.5 Persuading the Policies to Ground Realities 4.4 Conclusion References 5 Blessing in Disguise in the Megacities: Environmental Co-benefits in Air Quality Amid Covid-19 Lockdown in Kolkata 5.1 Introduction 5.2 On Exploring the Air Quality of the ‘City of Joy’ 5.3 Impact on City’s Air Quality 5.4 Impact on Socio-Economic Environment 5.4.1 Economic Sector 5.4.2 Industrial and Energy Sectors 5.4.3 Transport, Construction, and Household Sectors 5.4.4 Impact on Health 5.5 Conclusion References 6 Questioning the Green Recovery: A Take on Post-COVID Scenario 6.1 Backdrop 6.2 On Gauging the Crisis 6.3 Issues to Ponder Over 6.3.1 Waste Generation 6.3.2 Air Pollution 6.3.3 Water Stress 6.3.4 Chemical Exposure 6.4 Instances of Behavioural Trajectories 6.5 Ways Ahead References 7 Restructuring State, Society, and Human Development: Projecting Post-COVID Pandemic Equations 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Society as a Form of Integration 7.2.1 Relations of Civil Society, Government, and People 7.3 Politics as Power 7.4 Economy as Material Gain 7.5 Rouse Rural Initiatives and Production of Food Grains 7.6 COVID-19: Reconsidering Human Development 7.7 Arrangement of States to Counter to COVID-19 7.8 Reconsidering Human Development: Epidemic Preparation 7.8.1 Strategy Response by the Government/State 7.8.2 Determining Health Structure Capability to Manage Epidemics 7.8.3 Mobility and Utilization of Resources 7.9 The Human Development to Respond to Virus COVID-19 7.9.1 People’s Abilities and the Health Response to COVID-19 7.9.2 Transmuting the World 7.10 Conclusion References 8 The New Normal of the Education System: Issues of Rights and Sustainability in Pandemic Trapped India 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Rights, Sustainable Development, and Education 8.2.1 Human Rights and Sustainable Development Goal 8.2.2 SDG 4 and Related Human Rights Issues During a Pandemic 8.3 The Indian Scenario 8.3.1 COVID-19 and the Indian Education System 8.3.2 Effect on Students and Parents 8.3.3 Effect on Teachers, Researchers, and Academicians 8.3.4 Addressing India’s Take on Rights and Sustainability 8.4 What Could Be the ‘New Normal’ During the Post Reopening of Educational Institutes? 8.5 Conclusion References Part IIIHuman, Development and Environment 9 Economic Lockdowns and Challenges of Rural Livelihood: Indian Scenario 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Propagation of COVID-19 or 2019-nCoV or SARS-CoV-2 9.3 Status of COVID-19 in India 9.4 COVID-19 and Preparedness Measures 9.4.1 Clinical Measures 9.4.2 Non-pharmaceutical Measures 9.4.3 Lockdowns as a Measure for COVID-19 Preparedness 9.5 Impact of COVID-19 and Associated Lockdowns in India 9.5.1 Informal Sectors of the Economy 9.5.2 Situation of Migrant Workers 9.5.3 Impact of Lockdowns on Agriculture and Rural Lives in India 9.5.4 Lockdowns and Its Impact on Unemployment Status and GDP 9.5.5 Lockdowns and Capital Assets 9.6 Conclusion References 10 The Contagion Effects of COVID-19 and Public Transportation System: Conceptualizing the Shifting Paradigm in India 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Public Transportation Under the “New” Threat 10.3 The Pandemic Trapped Indian PTS 10.3.1 Effect During the Lockdown Period 10.3.2 The Post Lockdown Scenario 10.4 Coping with the Crisis 10.5 The Gap Between the “Cup and the Lip” 10.6 Conclusion References 11 Inter-state Labor Migration in India: The Normal and Reverse Phase 11.1 Introduction 11.2 InterState Migration in Pre-pandemic India: Glance Back to the Normal 11.3 On Pandemic Triggered Reverse Migration 11.3.1 The Sea of “Migrants” Set Out for Homeland 11.3.2 The Force of Detraction 11.3.3 Problems in Transit 11.3.4 The Welcome at Homeland Was Not “Warm” Always 11.4 Legislations: Facts and Trivia 11.5 Conclusion References 12 Human Discourses in Action: Community Health Workers’ Contribution to Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Pandemic and Health: Communicable Disease and Non-communicable Diseases 12.3 Pandemic and Community Health Worker 12.4 Importance of Health in Sustainable Development Goals 12.5 Community Health Workers in Achievements of Sustainable Development Goals 12.6 Health-Related SDGs Achievement and Pandemic 12.7 Preparedness for Health-Related Disaster 12.8 Conclusion References Part IVPreparedness and Policies 13 The Public Health System Resilience Addendum: A Tool to Help Governments Manage Biological Hazards Better and Prepare for an Uncertain Future 13.1 Background 13.1.1 Making Cities Resilient Campaign 2010–2020 13.1.2 Changing Risk in a Changing World 13.2 The Tools 13.2.1 Disaster Resilience Scorecard for Cities 13.2.2 Public Health Addendum 13.3 Structure of the Public Health System Resilience Assessment 13.3.1 The Structure 13.3.2 Required Data 13.3.3 Methodology to Use the Addendum 13.3.4 The Workshop 13.4 Conclusion Key Resources 14 Instilling Self-Sustainment: The Key Survival Strategy Amid the Pandemic 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Socio-Political Dialogues in Post-Pandemic India 14.3 Meaning of Naturalization 14.4 Naturalization Healing in India 14.5 Self-Sustainment as the Lifesaver Mechanism 14.5.1 Vibrant Demography 14.5.2 Climate Change and Green Economies 14.6 Conclusion References 15 Community Resilience: A Potential Answer to the Emerging Pandemic 15.1 Introduction 15.2 ‘Community’ and ‘Resilience’: Partner or Opponent 15.3 Re-Evaluating the Concept CR Under the Pandemic Lens 15.3.1 Discussion of Parameters 15.3.2 Modified Structure of CR Under Pandemic 15.4 Socioeconomic Resilience 15.5 Ecological Resilience 15.6 Health and Infrastructural Resilience 15.7 Institutional Resilience 15.8 Study Approach of CR: Method and Analysis 15.9 Summary, Caveats, and Suggestions References