Finished this 150 page book on the implications of #COVID19 on migrant work force & the economy in India. It’s a collection of reflections & reports. Short book but really powerful messages. Special thanks to @nadsjalil for the reading list.

Will be highlighting some paragraphs.

A bit more on the themes in the book. Though mostly describing the situation in India, most of the themes can be extrapolated to other countries, especially developing ones.

Of redrawing boundaries.

As mentioned earlier, too many governments chose nation-centric policies when global, more inclusive policies with proper context were needed.

“The ruler cannot protect its citizens...what legitimacy then remains?”

Of race, class and caste on the epidemic.

“..just like a war, the virus does not discriminate; the society does”

New type of public power?

“Without trust, the society cannot rely on its rulers to save people’s lives”

Continuing to share some paragraphs of the book. Last section of the introduction. After this we head into specific chapters.

Continuing into the book.

“With the old dying and the new being unable to be born, we are condemned to an unstable and volatile future.”

Of Biological Body & Fear.

Why do we treat the poor like this?

Hunger, Humiliation and Death.

The cost of lockdowns.

“Some people will die of the virus. The rest of us will die of hunger.”

Picking up this thread again on how lockdown affected the migrant community.

Of insecurity and fear as the labour migrants travel.

Lockdowns and distancing creating new fault lines, but affecting migrants the most.

Even the act of social distancing & avoiding physical contact discriminates.

The science works but because of how our society works, even measures to curb the outbreak disproportionately affects the marginalised and vulnerable.

Wrapping up this thread with the last part, on how COVID19 affects women more than men. Even as we discuss that men has higher mortality from the disease, it reinforces the gender division in society.

Women are arguably THE frontline workers in this pandemic & expectations of them to work and continue their duties as careers/mothers/wives increases.