Key highlights of Rahul Gandhi's press conference today (not verbatim):

"I want to tell people of India, that we will overcome this together, we will come out stronger on the other side" - @RahulGandhi #RahulSpeaksForIndia

1. Lockdown is like a pause button. While it is essential, it not the only solution. With a lockdown as your only strategy, you are only temporarily disabling the spread.

2. Aggressive testing: the period of the lockdown has to be utilized for aggressive random testing.

Only then you will be able to identify the movement of the virus and the hotspots. A strategic approach to relaxing the lockdown is essential after having identified the hotspots.

3. Food: Godowns in India are filled with foodgrains and on the other hand we are seeing migrant workers going with just one meal a day. The govt should open distribution of this available food immediately.

4. Unemployment & MSMEs: We are looking at a surge in unemployment in the next few days. MSMEs are going to be hit the worst because because of the lockdown. The govt should announce some sort of a relief to these small business owners and traders in such times.

5. Empowering states: The centre should release the GST dues and empower the states to take the necessary measures required to manage the pandemic situation and contain the spread. The states in return have to empower the districts.

The success of containing spread in Wayanad, Kerela goes to the local administration.

6. Nyay: poor and under privileged need cash to survive and revive. Ensure cash reaches those people as soon as possible.

7. Our focus has to be on saving lives right now.

8. I don't want to take credit for highlighting the issue first. I disagree with the PM on many things but this is not the time. We stand with the government unitedly to fight and over throw this crisis.