We all know about the COVID-19, also known as Corona Virus, and its capabilities to infect. It has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the 11th March 2020 due to the speed at which the disease is spreading. There are many precautionary steps taken by the people to contain the disease and stop it from spreading further. People are wearing masks, using alcohol-based hand rubs, and washing their hands frequently. The disease is known to be spread through the contact of an infected person to another person. It is mainly characterised by a respiratory illness which can lead to death.
However, the usage of these items has increased at such a rate where stocking up the product has become something next to impossible. The global supply chains are already under a lot of pressure owing to the closure of factories in major manufacturing countries, creating a loophole for containing the disease. China, being the country affected by the disease at a large scale, is also the biggest supplier of the mask all over the globe. “Countries like the U.S. have always relied on China for products like this,” said Nada Sanders, a distinguished professor of Supply Chain Management at Northeastern University. Now, due to the shortage of masks like n95 respirators, which block almost all airborne particulars, the Central for Disease Control (CDC) is forced to use a surgical mask as an option.
Along with the shortage of masks, shortage of sanitizers is another issue being faced by the countries right now. The industry is introducing a new product line with products like hand sanitizers and mask for their usage and safety instead of relying on other countries to manufacture it for them. However, this process failed to last long as the companies have been shut down soon due to the spread of the disease. As all other links in the global supply chain has broken, India has become a reliable country for all the other pharmaceutical necessities as it is one of the world’s largest exporters of drugs. Unfortunately, the country has already started cutting back on exports. The medicines exported from India such as antibiotics like Paracetamol and B12 vitamins can be used to treat the symptoms of COVID-19. The suppliers based in the U.S. confirm to have the stock of basic antibiotics which could last for 6 months.
This is a high time where we, human beings, can be more aware and take precautions against COVID-19 that are home-based and effective. This is the problem faced by people all over the world, let us get united and contribute our best from preventing the disease from spreading any further.
Mrinal Garg