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When a number of social thinkers and philosophers like Amartya Sen express their optimism that 'a new world' or 'a better society' will emerge in the post-Covid period, many people across the world feel good and hope for some positive changes. Optimism as expressed by people like Sen is based on their deep knowledge in history and society and comprehensive analysis of geo-politics. Sen, in an article titled 'A better society can emerge from the lockdowns' argued that joint fight against the deadly coronavirus may create an atmosphere to help address and reduce the inequalities in society after the crisis. He didn't claim that a radical change would take place and the world would be an equitable place to live in. Instead, he stressed on a possibility to do so, taking lesson from the fight against coronavirus.
Not only Sen, but also many others also do believe that restructuring the current form of exploitative and discriminatory society and economy is possible. Deadly coronavirus brings an opportunity to do so as it already showed that there is no way out without a greater solidarity of mankind.
Nevertheless, as the time passes, it becomes clear that a large number of people across the world are yet to realise the necessity of greater solidarity and cooperation. It is, however, not their fault alone. As a matter of fact, a number of political leaders and policymakers in some countries have already expressed their indifferent attitude towards the importance of solidarity. They are largely driven by their narrow self-interest and so want to keep people misguided. Mr Donald Trump, President of the United States (US) is one of them and also a leading figure to downplay the danger of coronavirus. That's why he and his supporters and loyalists are terming it a Chinese conspiracy and lie to destroy the US economy.
Such leaders and policymakers are also busy hiding their misdeeds. Those have already taken tolls on lives and livelihoods of poor, marginalised and limited-income people who form the majority in a society. Only a small group of people who have accumulated maximum wealth and resources are the beneficiaries of the misdeeds of those indifferent leaders and policymakers. In this process, inequality in a society gets deep-rooted. Though the policies and actions, generate inequalities in different forms, those were questioned and criticised by many others. In some cases, they also came down heavily upon to crush any criticism resulting in the continuation of discriminatory policies.
Again, there is an allegation that leaders and policymakers in some countries are either concealing or distorting the facts and data of the pandemic situation. The concealment or distortion makes people confused and dissipate the danger of virus. It also creates division in a society where some are in favour of withdrawing the lockdown while others are against any such move.
When coordinated measures and actions with mutual cooperation among the nations are necessary, divisions among the global leaders and policymakers are unexpected. This is, however, the reality today which is gradually weakening the fight against the deadly virus. Thus, a better and equitable society in post-Covid period seems a distant dream. Nevertheless, optimists will continue to fight to as they are fighting now.