We never know what tomorrow has in store for us. In December 2019, everything seemed normal; people were expecting a happy and prosperous year ahead of them in 2020. But the New Year had some surprises to unpack. In fact, it hadn’t arrived alone but brought along with it a deadly virus named the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19. As of yet, this deadly virus has affected millions of people across the world and continue to do so. It has been killing people by the hundreds and thousands every day. The total number of deaths worldwide continues to be on the rise. And as the world is battling the biggest health scare in a century, we find it is the middle class who suffers the most.
The Covid-19 crisis has given a new value to human life. Different measures have been taken everywhere to save people’s lives from the virus. However, as a result of these measures, the economy is collapsing. And, it is the middle class which has been most affected by it.
What is COVID-19 ?
Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease caused by a newly discovered virus known as the Coronavirus. It belongs to a family of viruses known as Coronaviruses, responsible for a host of illnesses from common cold to severe respiratory diseases. However, the new Coronavirus, responsible for Covid-19, was not previously seen in humans. In medicine, the word ‘Novel’ usually refers to a virus or bacterial strain that was not previously identified. . Therefore, it is referred to as the “Novel Coronavirus”.
The virus causing COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes or exhales. These droplets are too heavy to remain in the air and may fall on surfaces below.
These viruses may be airborne and can quickly spread from one person to another. Three ways the virus may be transmitted are through direct contact, indirect contact or close contact with an infected person. One can easily get infected by breathing in the virus if they are within close proximity of someone who has COVID-19 , or by coming in contact with contaminated surfaces and then touching their eyes , nose or mouth.
The worst thing about the Novel Coronavirus is that until now there is no vaccine or treatment available for it. The only way to keep yourself safe is by taking necessary precautions. According to medical experts, wearing face masks, using hand sanitizers and washing your hands from time to time can reduce your risk of getting infected.
As the virus was spreading rapidly, claiming thousands of lives every single day, and with no treatment at hand, the government declared a complete lockdown across the country.
Understanding the importance of Lockdown
Lockdown is defined as an emergency protocol implemented to prevent people from leaving their homes and curb unnecessary movement. It was meant to stop or slow down the infection from spreading rapidly from one person to another. It is a step taken with a view to protect ourselves as well as others. Under lockdown, one cannot go out for work or any leisure activity. People are supposed to stay indoors and step out only for essential services like groceries or in case of medical emergencies.
The world is reeling from a global pandemic. In order to break the chain of the deadly coronavirus infection, our government announced a total lockdown in the country, effective from March 24th. It was initially announced for 21 days but was further extended in phases.
According to the data available, the number of Covid-19 positive cases were doubling every three days before the lockdown. And it is believed that one infected person can spread the virus to more than 400 people within 30 days. If the lockdown had not been imposed, the virus would have spread like wildfire. Hence, it was a necessary measure to check the virus from spreading and claiming many more lives.
Why is the middle class the worst hit during the lockdown?
The nationwide lockdown which was imposed to stop the spread of COVID 19 has been somewhat successful in its purpose. Although cases are still on the rise, the virus has been stopped from moving into the third stage, i.e. “community spread”.
However, due to these measures, the country’s economy suffered a major blow. Unemployment was on its peak during the lockdown. An estimated 14 crore lost their jobs, while many suffered a cut in their salaries. Our economy’s growth rate has fallen drastically. According to the UN report, India’s growth rate was projected to be a meager 1.2% in 2020, a further deterioration from an already slowed down growth of 4.1% in 2019.
Every section of society has been hurt by the Covid-19 lockdown and its resultant economic crisis. But it’s the middle class who has suffered the most, especially the lower middle class. Those who earn between five thousand to fifty thousand per month are included in the middle class section of society. However, the pandemic has turned the middle class into the new poor of our society.
In the month of March, as the lockdown was imposed, many factories closed and production came to a halt. Workers were either laid off from their jobs or received pay cuts.
The doors of schools, colleges and universities have remained shut since March. Their teachers, lecturers and staff have not received any pay.
Even malls, parks, hotels, cinema halls, restaurants, travel and tourism companies, small businesses, beauty parlors, spas & salons have earned zero income during the lockdown period. The people working in them have received no salary or suffered from a cut in wages.
Many workers have been laid off from their jobs. They have not received any financial assistance from any quarter. They are surviving on their past savings since the pandemic.
While those below the poverty line have also suffered during this lockdown, they have been recipients of some sort of assistance, in the form of cooked food, ration scheme and financial aid from central and state governments, NGOs etc. . But it is the middle class who has not received any kind of support from anywhere and are the worst sufferers.
Upper classes, on the other hand, have been faring well even during this lockdown. Many have actually reported a rise in income and others continue to be unaffected by the pandemic. With the added advantage or option of working from home, this should come as no surprise. Even those whose incomes were partially affected, have borne the shock well with sufficient savings and sources of help.
While the rich are busy in boosting their immune system and strive to keep themselves fit and fine during this pandemic, it’s the middle class who is worried about their future survival. With the lockdown being extended multiple times, during the last 4-5 months duration they have run out of their savings as well. They also have to provide for their families who depend upon them as the sole bread-earner. Before the pandemic, those who might have been planning and saving for a better future for their kids and family are now worried about their very survival at present.
Moreover, up until now, the total number of Covid positive patients have crossed the 20 million mark in India. The limited seats in government hospitals are already full and private hospitals are cashing in on this opportunity to charge hefty fees from their patients. If a middle class person gets diagnosed with Covid-19, getting treatment for him/her seems impossible in such a scenario.
All of these worries have contributed to the rise in mental health issues among the middle class. What will happen if there is another pandemic in future? The fear of their lives hanging in the balance, their own health and the well being of their loved ones, financial strain, no jobs and the absence of support services from anywhere has led to high levels of stress and anxiety among people.
There are distressing reports about the effect of the pandemic on people’s mental health. People are suffering from sleepless nights, stress, anxiety and severe depression. Isolation has made the situation all the worse . People are locked within their homes, not able to meet relatives, family, colleagues and friends . They are not able to share their problems with anyone or seek the support of loves ones. During the past 4-5 months, there has been a rapid increase in the rate of people suffering from depression.
Rising unemployment amid the pandemic has increased the rate of suicides. People lacking any kind of a support system, are finding themselves unable to cope with this situation. Uncertainty looms large. When will it end? Will they ever be able to return to their normal lives before a pandemic took over? There are many questions without any answers. In such a situation of helplessness with no help in sight, they may resort to extreme steps like committing suicide.
Struggle defines the everyday lives of people belonging to the Indian middle class. However, they somehow manage without seeking any help from others. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown has made it really very difficult for them to survive without any assistance from any corner. All the aid programmes by the government or the NGOs are for poor people or those below the poverty line, but even the middle class are in dire need of some help. They have been looked over, ignored and left without any helping hand, making them the real sufferers of this pandemic.
