Plan for future issues after lockdown: Experts Plan for future issues after lockdown: Experts
   Date :07-Jul-2020

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By Ajay Mardikar ;
 
 
AFTER the achievement of slowing down spread of coronavirus by imposing lockdown, the Government also has its task cut out on future impact of the long hiatus on the entire society. Steps will be required on different aspects including academic, social and economic and also psychological and emotional. Experts in the field have been trying to project various issues that need to be addressed. The long lockdown brought various sectors to a standstill. One of the badly affected among them is education. It has been realised that academic loss to the students will have to be made up through novel means. Besides making up the losses, changes will also be required in the curriculum.
 
“Students will have to be taught the ways of handling such adverse situations. They will have to be informed about facing extreme adverse conditions,” felt Dr Arun Kulkarni, former Head of Depart-ment of Psychology. Psychologist Counsellor Milind Apte said, people of all age groups are affected by this situation. “Planning to make up the losses will have to be thought of immediately. We will have to adjust with the viral infection and start working again”. Prolonged lockdown has led to growing lethargy, obesity and whimsical or even arrogant behaviour among youngsters. Heavy exposure to screen at younger age also has had adverse physical and psychological impact.
 
Parents are worried over future of their children. Similarly, seniors are facing tension leading to rise in blood pressure, increasing blood sugar, frequent asthma attacks and other health problems. “The psychological impact on those in employment will also require proper handling. This section of people is under severe stress. Improving health care facilities and preventive care by the people themselves are the only solutions”, said noted psychologist Dr Milind Apte. Psychiatrist Dr Nikhil Pande and Psychologist Amar Damle supported Dr Apte’s views. Dr Pramod Salve, retired professor in Ayurveda and General Secretary of Maharashtra Congress Doctors’ Cell also supported preventive care and steps by the government to support economic and educational development.
 
All these major issues are inter-related. The economic losses are not restricted to the industry alone. Individuals suffering may turn to corrupt practices or criminal acts. There is also a danger of the depressed among them choosing the extreme step of suicide. The counsellors also feared that there would be high number of economic offences and other crimes. The authorities would have to consider all these aspects while planning for the future of the society, they said. Another issue that demands immediate attention of the authorities is the rising lethargy among children, obesity and related health problems. Drug addiction among the youngsters is another major danger.
 
The experts expressed satisfaction that information about preventive measures spread through various platforms had a positive impact on the society. “Fortunately, people are resorting to traditional Indian living style. Maximum use of medicines from the kitchen are being used to increase immunity and also to treat minor ailments,” they said. Dr Salve advocated ancient health science of Ayurveda for maintaining inherent immune system. “This is possible only if the basics of ‘Ahar, Vihar, Pathya’ is followed. This has been restricted due to lockdown,” he said.