How fast the virus is spreading throughout the world has indeed shown us that we are living in the era of ‘global village.’ When country after country is imposing lockdowns and curfews it seems as the world has become still. The only sound that we hear today is the number of deaths and those infected. When in the times of crisis we all are standing together, can the same be said about the post-COVID world?
The outbreak that started from one nation has spread to at least 170 countries. And after this global crisis is over it will be difficult for China to expect the same relations with the countries as it was before especially, with the West. Where Donald Trump is referring to COVID-19 as the ‘Chinese Virus’ and has said that, ‘the world is paying a big price,’ because of China’s cover-up in the initial weeks of the disease outbreak in Wuhan. Chinese diplomats are trying to blame the United States for bringing the virus in the country.
China is trying to save its reputation globally. By spreading propaganda and trying to spread its success story of how it handled the crisis and emerged victoriously. But it seems like it isn’t as successful in spreading propaganda as it was in spreading the virus.
THE CHANGE IN GLOBAL DYNAMICS-
1. After coming out of the crisis China is now trying to save face. It is now providing assistance to Italy, Spain and other countries. The virus has become a tool for China to overtake its rival US as the global hegemon.
Mira Rapp-Hooper, US Council, Foreign Relations said, “The US government’s pandemic leadership has been its own special brand of catastrophe…[It] has placed its own citizens in unnecessary peril, while sidelining itself from acting as a global crisis leader.” There is no doubt that China might seize an opportunity during this crisis.
2. It is possible that the societies might be ‘less free.’ One of the main reasons that this disease spread throughout the world was because China tried to hide it. It destroyed evidence and controlled all the social media and press that were talking about COVID.
Same pattern is being followed by Egypt currently. It is expelling foreign journalists and controlling public discussions.
Will other countries also do this to hide information in the future? That only time will tell but people have fought long and hard for a ‘free speech’ world but it seems like the government can be successful is suppressing our voices.
3. COVID-19 has stopped human mobility. It will prove as a difficult time for immigrants than anyone else. In India alone thousands of labours were seen fleeing the capital because of the lockdown and the same is happening throughout the world. The refugees, labours, and asylum seekers who live in crowded camps and dense urban areas will be at huge risk even if one person comes in contact with the disease.
And after the COVID the regulations might get stricter for those who travel to developed nations as developing nations have limited resources and opportunities.
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Apart from these three changes, there can be an increase in inequality and developing nations can further get stuck in debts. No doubt the impact will be suffered mostly by developing nations and poor individuals.
This crisis can either strengthen the global ties or will get worse that only time will tell. But for now, all of us are stuck in the same bog. And the only way to come out of it is to stay where you are and maintain distance.
-Kritika Khatwani
Kritika Khatwani is a part of the Class of 2020 of PG Programme in PR and Corporate Communications at SCoRe, Mumbai. She completed her winter internship with MSL, Mumbai.
She is from Jhansi. She has done her graduation from Mass Communications and Journalism. Her varied life experiences resonate with her passion towards raising awareness about social causes. This is evident from her participation in the short film- Gaokor: A Period House. Her avid inclination towards creativity and writing is what pushed her to pursue a career in public relations. Music and coffee are her meditation.
