With What Name Should I Call You? Poem by Jyoti Patil

Illustration At the back drop of COVID-19 pandemic since Feb 2020, life has changed entirely for everyone. This pandemic is the defining global health crisis of our time and the greatest challenge we have faced since World War Two. It has demonstrated the interconnected nature of our world and that no one is safe until everyone is safe. It has the potential to create devastating social, economic and political effects that will leave deep and longstanding scars. Only by acting in solidarity can communities save lives and overcome the devastating socio-economic impacts of the virus. People around the world are showing acts of humanity, inspiring hope for a better future. From a public health perspective, the climate crisis is increasing the spread of certain diseases and complicating efforts to combat others. Seasonality and weather are two of the major factors that control the rate at which viruses such as the flu infect humans. Ecosystems in nature function similarly to the human body: When they are robust and healthy, which means they have diverse species and space for healthy animal populations, they are less likely to be sources of disease. There is a misperception that nature is "getting a break" from humans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, many rural areas in the tropics are facing increased pressure from land grabbing, deforestation, illegal mining and wildlife poaching.