Reaction on Human Rights Dimensions of Covid-19 Response
Introduction
As the world continues to bear the brunt of the Covid-19 outbreak, it is evident that different people in the society suffer the consequences in unequal proportions even though it is clear that the virus does not discriminate. The novel Covid-19 virus that was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan China has dramatically shifted the societies with total bans on travel, insistence on social distance, curfews and lockdowns all taking effect with the hope that the curve outlining the spread of the virus would be flattened and normalcy resumes. Different organizations such as the Human Rights Watch and the World Health Organization must prioritize the needs of those who are more vulnerable.
Summary of the article
The article espouses the different dimensions of Covid-19 responses in an environment that factors the rights of every person in the observance of international human rights. It looks at the provisions that the governments are using within the confines of the law without a violation of the international human rights laws because the pandemic is a threat to public health. It observes that some restrictions are justified based on scientific evidence and what follows next is on how to ensure that the people have access to other fundamental human rights such as food. People must also have the right to heath with ease of access to excellent health facilities, goods and services without any form of discrimination. While countries have different ongoing programs, there are numerous concerns that the human rights body current monitors together with recommendations on how to prevent violations
Target economic relief to assist the low-wage workers
In as much as all efforts are geared towards creating an environment that is devoid of the pandemic, one clear thing is the fact that the proposed solutions to the pandemic must not be more punitive and harsher than the novel virus itself. No people can allude to such a statement better than the low wage workers who are currently facing much more difficulties across the world. First, the low-wage workers are typically those that are paid on a daily or weekly basis. With economies shut down and people being encouraged to be at home, it is indeed difficult for the low-wage workers to make ends meet unless a model is created to target these people with relief packages. I believe that the article is accurate in raising such concerns, and efforts must be undertaken to shield the vulnerable in the society are catered.
As the world continues to suffer from the consequences of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Human Rights watchdog observes that the low-wage workers and those under poor living standards will suffer the most. Covid-19 has espoused an existing disparity in terms of social status and even as governments try as much as possible to prevent further deaths, it is clear that the low-wage earners in different economies are the ones that are worst hit. Indeed, many are currently unable to meet their daily requirements, such as food and medical need.
I agree with the recommendation that governments should undertake economic policies that are specifically geared towards buffering the economic impacts of the low-wage workers. Since the loss of income is most certainly guaranteed when the economies shutdowns, the people that need the intervention of the government are those that depend on the daily and weekly minimum wages to fend for their families. It is indeed proper for such people to be given a priority as the current prevailing solution only means that they are suffering much more compared to what would have been the case had their rights not been limited.
I believe that there are several measures that the government can use to help those that have low-level pays, including offering tax reliefs and other forms of aid. Countries such as the US and Japan have been quick to shield their citizens by providing direct cheques to those that are affected. Such efforts are indeed laudable. However, my thinking is that the US and other developed countries can undertake such economic uplifting moves with ease because they already are developed countries with big economies. Concerns now will have to be for the impoverished countries. Such countries are already having difficulties when it comes to growing their economies, and the recommendations that their government should send cheques to cushion the low-wage workers would be a lot of expectation. However, I believe that the same can still be done albeit with smaller amounts. Providing relief foods to some of the affected people can also serve as an excellent opportunity in the case that governments are unable to raise the required amount to disburse to its people
Main strengths and benefits of such a policy
First, it will be easy to contain the movement of people, and many will join the efforts to observe social distancing and work from home. It will be much easier to flatten the curve because people won’t have concerns about going out of their homes to look for how to make money for food and their children. Targeting the lowly paid also shows that the government shares in there and would create a sense of togetherness. It supports the overall aim that the government hopes at achieving and that is preventing the spread of the pandemic and resuming normalcy.