Inflect towards Science, with Hope. Not the Other Way: India’s Devastating Crisis
Young boy in India holds an oxygen tank during the most devastating spread of COVID-19
COVID-19 has taken a lot away from us: 2020, family members, friends, traveling, eating out, going out to have fun. But in all of this chaos, there was a small silver lining: we started respecting things we took for granted. We started respecting people and many became vigilant on matters that were, otherwise, lightly taken.
A few months ago, we saw the United States making headlines with the exponential spread of COVID and a death rate like never before. The United States still holds the top place for all-time cases and deaths. A very grim milestone for an economic superpower and innovation hub. A few months back, while the United States was fighting the winter surge, people in India were going to weddings, not wearing masks, having religious gatherings, political rallies, and it was business as usual.
Why are leaders holding political rallies when they very well know what the repercussions can be? Why are people holding gatherings when they know what the repercussions can be?
Today, we see a very different story. As the United States finally has a competent administration distributing vaccines at warp speed, India is facing one of the worst humanitarian COVID crises the world has ever seen.
Statistics as of May 2, 2021:
India Today: 368,000 Confirmed Cases, 3,417 Confirmed Deaths
India Overall: 19.9 Million Cases, 219K Deaths
US: 29,536 Confirmed Cases, 299 Confirmed Deaths
US Overall: 32.4 Million Cases, 517K Deaths
These are very grim numbers and indeed a lot of people would simply give up and lose hope. However, many countries with strong surges were able to curb the spread and India was one of them when the United States was suffering. As humans, we are problem-solvers, and here is a framework outlined on how people around the world can help India deal with the crisis.
We urge every reader to stay vigilant by staying home when possible. Get vaccinated as soon as possible. Follow local guidelines, wear a mask, and socially distance when possible. We understand everyone is frustrated but we want to remind everyone that we are in the fight together. We have to trust our scientific community and we will valiantly battle and win this pandemic.
Siliconeer extends thoughts and prayers to the Indian community throughout the world. We are all in this together and we understand the hardships everyone is facing throughout the world. We have outlined statements from U.S. Representative Ami Bera and U.S. Senator Bob Menendez regarding the COVID-19 situation in India and the steps the U.S. is taking to help.
Siliconeer has also outlined resources and links to non-profit organizations taking actions to help provide much-needed supplies to tackle the surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths. The article also includes live reported data of cases throughout every country in the world.
– Vansh Gupta, Editor
Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation, released the following statement on the surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths in India:
“My heart breaks over the tragedy unfolding in India, including the thousands of lives lost per day to the COVID-19 virus.
Over the past several days, I have spoken with U.S. Administration officials regarding the COVID-19 outbreak in India, and the steps the U.S. is taking to provide assistance. I applaud the Biden Administration for its decision to send urgently needed resources to help the Indian people, including raw materials necessary for vaccine development, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), rapid diagnostic testing, and oxygen-related supplies.
I will continue to work with the Biden Administration and my colleagues in the U.S. Congress to ensure assistance reaches the people of India and impacted communities around the world. COVID-19 is a global virus that requires global cooperation, driven by American ingenuity and leadership. We have an important role to play in ensuring the virus is defeated not only in the U.S., but around the world.”
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding India’s second coronavirus wave and the need for increased U.S. leadership in the global fight against COVID-19:
“I am worried and horrified by the continued advancement of COVID-19 around the world. With India’s current wave representing the world’s worst outbreak, there continues to be a moral imperative to U.S. leadership in the global arena right now.
“As we join the thousands of families mourning the loss of loved ones to this deadly surge in India, let us continue to stand in full support and solidarity with the brave healthcare providers, workers, and citizens here and the world over working on the frontlines against the coronavirus. I am deeply proud of the Indian-American community and other Americans, including many in my home state of New Jersey, who have stepped up private efforts to provide much-needed supplies and funding to India. Their work to help those in need represents the best of our country, and I commit to do whatever I can to support them.
“The United States has a leading role to play in supporting equitable vaccine access for all countries, and it’s time we stepped up. The Biden administration made the right decision to expeditiously send raw vaccine materials, oxygen supplies, test kits, and other necessary resources to India, and to fund the expansion of their vaccine manufacturing capacity. As we continue to make major progress in our fight against COVID-19 in the U.S., I urge the Administration to keep ramping up the provision of supplies and resources to countries hard hit by the pandemic. Conditions in India clearly warrant a response; India and the Indian people supported the United States during the early days of the pandemic here, and we must do the same as they face this unprecedented wave.”
How you can help right now (List will be updated as we notice more initiatives):
DONATE TO INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS
RESOURCES FOR COVID-19 SURGE IN INDIA
AKSHAYA PATRA’S INITIATIVE ON COVID-19 CRISIS
Current stats on COVID-19:
