COVID

Taken from Call for papers by UU 9th March 

lockdowns, health pass mandates, and blanket vaccine rollouts clearly attempt to posit some kind of 'public good' or 'solidarity' over more individualist considerations; sentiments which on the surface appear to be benevolent and even left-oriented.

though lockdowns have already  led to unevenly distributed psycho-social damage, and has exacerbated various economic fault-lines between marginalized and privileged groups locally and world-wide, vocal criticisms have so far largely emerged from economistic and right-oriented perspectives that merely espouse a superficial or neoliberal vocabulary of individual freedoms.

public resistance against injustices, like mandatory vaccinations and health passports emanate largely
from right-wing groups by appealing to superficial liberal sentiments.  this entire crisis situation runs the risk of being politically appropriated for right-wing or economically conservative
ends,

 this expert meeting (seeks)   to address lockdown, vaccine mandates, and health-pass politics from a multitude of left-wing, critical, feminist and anti-racist perspectives

Paper proposals may address, but are not limited to, the following topics:

- Lockdown as pre- or proto- totalitarian

- Lockdown and the inadequacy of left-wing versus right-wing terminology and politics

- Lockdowns, vaccine rollouts and digital health apps, and their relation to global neoliberal capitalism

- Lockdown, covid-19 dashboards and pandemic modelling, and scientific (post)modernity, hypermodernity or technocracy

- Feminist and anti-racist critiques of lockdown and health passes as exacerbating gendered and raced disenfranchisement and disadvantage

- Lockdown and health passes, and theories of biopower, health optimization, dataveillance and necropolitics

- Critical histories of medical policing, population management and disease containment

- Critiques of the roles of biometrics, predictive technologies, data visualizations and dashboards in lockdown and vaccine politics

- The pandemic as (scientific and media) simulation

- Government propaganda and censorship around lockdown and vaccination

- Lockdown and the changing landscape of higher education: problems and opportunities for pedagogy and research

- The acquiescence and complicities of universities and other national and supranational institutions

- The role of mass and social media in anti- or pro-lockdown or vaccine propaganda, political polarization and forms of media virality (eg. via covid-19 memes)

- Lockdown as privileged or elite strategy

- Mandatory vaccine rollouts as assaults to the feminist appeal to bodily autonomy

- Lockdown and health passes, and their impacts on communities of care

- Affective aspects of lockdown: fear (eg. thanatophobia), hope, despair, anger, depression, exhaustion, arrogance, dissociation, trauma reactions

- Lockdown and vaccine development science and politics as performances of masculinity

- Ethical considerations regarding mass experimentation, moral shaming and lateral citizen surveillance

- The symbolic politics of lockdown (eg. virtue signaling)

- Christian eschatological and apocalyptic narratives and lockdown

- Teleological and theological narratives of science as salvation (eg.
via vaccinations)

- Left-wing or more equitable alternatives to lockdown (eg. feminist
care ethics)

- Lockdown discourse and the family

- Lockdown discourse and 'the home' (eg. political assumptions about the
base unit of polity being biological families who live together in the home)

- The appropriation of health pass systems for perverse political ends

Responses: 

Quite surprising that there is no mention of the fact that vaccine development and all research should be a public good and that people all over the world are suffering due to lack of access to universal public health services. And about the fact that multinational corporations have a stranglehold on the health sector. My friends in countries like Mali had to mobilize in cooperatives to produce affordable masks and sanitizing products, 9 times cheaper than imported products. In Mali, 0 doses of the vaccine have been administered in the last 28 days. - Yvon Poirier

it is possibly the only topic where the established left has been raising a critical voice and which chimes with the stereotypical lefty do-good scenario that the blurb confronts.

But what if the vaccines in and of themselves are not a good idea? What if they rather constitute a classic capitalist technofix that can resurrect the dying patriarchal science and liberal democracy / white supremacy establishment? Keep the system going by introducing yet another layer of symptom chasing, highly profitable at that, while leaving root causes intact?

Is vaccine solidarity a capitalist, colonial market expansion that undermines other forms of health approaches and knowledge systems, or it it a common good?

Whichever way one chooses to look at it, it seems, it is at least both. - mp

How India’s Covid Crisis Got Out of Control | WSJ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZMcBXyY4XA India's Covid-19 crisis has resulted in record numbers of cases and deaths. WSJ breaks down the chain of events that led to the fastest-growing wave of infection since the pandemic started, and what it means for the world. 

Salaried jobs fell by 11-12 million, 97% Indians got poorer: CMIE May 29, 2021 https://www.cnbctv18.com/economy/salaried-jobs-fell-by-11-12-million-97-indians-got-poorer-cmie-9478121.htm 

"India had 403.5 million jobs before being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, about 126 million jobs were lost of which about 90 million were those of daily wagers. The figure recovered and reached 400 million jobs in January 2021 or December 2020. However, after the second wave, India has 390 million jobs."

Vyas pointed out that not everyone has got their job back and those who have got their jobs back have not necessarily got the same quality job. Salaried jobs are still falling. The situation is worse off, he added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1lRR8CSmPo

Biggest Contraction In India's GDP: KV Subramanian Vs P Chidambaram | Newstrack (Full Video)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggwDXMhxeno India’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 1.6 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2021, marking two quarters of consecutive growth after it exited a rare recession. The Q4FY21 GDP growth is largely in line with estimates released earlier by multiple ratings agencies earlier.
The improvement in GDP also suggests that the country’s economy recovered rapidly after registering negative growth for the first two quarters of FY21.
It may be noted that the Indian economy started recovering quickly from the third quarter of FY21 (December quarter) as restrictions were eased; the festive sales also contributed to the 0.4 per cent growth in the third quarter of FY21 after contracting 23.9 per cent in the first quarter and 7.5 per cent in the second quarter.
On India Today's special show Newstrack with Rahul Kanwal, watch the debate between Modi Govt's Chief Economic Adviser KV Subramanian & Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram over The state of the economy in India. 

 P Chidambaram Exclusive On India's Economy, Covid Crisis & Vaccination Drive  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoPW0MzDsvw India’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 1.6 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2021, marking two quarters of consecutive growth after it exited a rare recession. The Q4FY21 GDP growth is largely in line with estimates released earlier by multiple ratings agencies earlier.
The improvement in GDP also suggests that the country’s economy recovered rapidly after registering negative growth for the first two quarters of FY21.
It may be noted that the Indian economy started recovering quickly from the third quarter of FY21 (December quarter) as restrictions were eased; the festive sales also contributed to the 0.4 per cent growth in the third quarter of FY21 after contracting 23.9 per cent in the first quarter and 7.5 per cent in the second quarter.

"Darkest Year In Over 4 Decades": P Chidambaram Slams Government On GDP  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVrujcy9gG4  print money, as suggested by Abhijit banerjee? Yes.

 https://youtu.be/radzYB1pWh4  June 3, 2021 Speaking on India Today's special show News Today with Rajdeep Sardesai, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan said, "The govt should buy up vaccine manufacturers' entire production at the fixed rate of Rs 100, buy 200 mn doses a month, and supply to all the states.

The politics issues of  Centre v/s States who said what and whose photographs is on the vaccine certificate etc are all distractions. https://youtu.be/radzYB1pWh4?t=856

Thiagaranjan, TN Finance Minister at  https://youtu.be/radzYB1pWh4?t=1000  outlines the problems that the States have had with the Centre in the vaccine policy. Being the senior partner the Centre must take the initiative to build that trust.. says that we should not be "distracted by politics,

Have you been given Azithromycin, Doxycycline or Ivermectin for COVID? I Barkha Dutt  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_daePXb6Io  Jan 15, 2022

As India witnesses a massive third wave, where cases continue to surge but hospitalization still remains low, 32 doctors, in an open letter to the Health Ministry and IMA, have asked for 'scientific' interventions in India's Covid response.

"We are repeating the mistakes of the 2021," say doctors from hospitals across India and America, as they point out that medications like Azithromycin, Doxycycline, Ivermectin are still being prescribed for COVID treatment. They have also called out unnecessary CT scans and laboratory tests.

Barkha Dutt in conversation with: Dr Sanjay Nagral | Jaslok Hospital, Dr Rajani Bhat | Pulmonologist' Dr Muffazal Lakdawala | Digestive Health, Dr Ambrish Mithal | Max Health Care Dr Vineeta Bal | Scientist

Open letter by 35 doctors from across country states ‘India overdoing testing, medication’  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/open-letter-by-35-doctors-from-across-country-states-india-overdoing-testing-medication/articleshow/88887028.cms TNN  Jan 14, 2022,

The group identified three main issues: Unwarranted medication, unwarranted tests and unwarranted hospitalisation.

Indian Economy Paying a Hefty Price for Govt’s 'Messy' Vaccine Policy | The Quint Jun 1, 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmB2fI_Sr3Y Amid the second wave of COVID-19 in India, its citizens are facing a paucity of vaccines. Meanwhile, concerns over a decelerated economy have taken a backseat, pushing several families below the poverty line, and over 1 crore people losing their jobs this year. 

"I had laid out the road map about nine or 10 months ago on how we need a scalable digital infrastructure for vaccinating 5-10 million people a day

Vaccination Policy Arbitrary & Irrational: Supreme Court | सरकार की टीकाकरण नीति मनमानी और तर्कहीन •Jun 2, 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycOki5yXZ4o Faizan Mustafa in this video explains the Supreme Court’s highly critical observations against the central government’s vaccination policy. The court has asserted its right to scrutinise policies if the same violate people’s rights. He has said that government may bring in some changes in its vaccination policy to make vaccination free for 18 to 44 age group people. 

5 Big Points From Supreme Court's Order On Government's Vaccine Policy https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/supreme-court-order-on-covid-19-vaccines-cant-be-silent-spectators-2454705 
The Supreme Court asked the Centre to place on record a roadmap of projected availability of vaccines till December 31. 5 big points from the order
To Centre saying court should keep away from executive decisions: Our constitution does not envisage courts to be silent spectators when constitutional rights of citizens are violated because of executive policy.
Court asks government to clarify how the Rs 35,000 crore earmarked in the Union Budget for procuring vaccines have been spent so far and why they cannot be utilized for vaccinating persons aged 18-44 years.
The Centre has been asked to file a detailed affidavit giving complete data on the purchase history of all the vaccines till date - Covaxin, Covishield and Sputnik V. The Supreme Court also asks for dates of all procurement orders; number of doses ordered; projected date of supply.
The government also has to submit a comparison of prices of vaccines available in India to their international prices.
The Supreme Court asks the Centre to place on record a roadmap of projected availability of vaccines till December 31. It notes that the “Liberalized Vaccination Policy” may not be able to spur competitive prices and more vaccines.

Furnish complete data on Covid vaccine purchase history: Supreme Court to Centre https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-asks-centre-to-furnish-data-on-purchase-history-of-all-covid-vaccines-7341181/ 
The apex court also asked the Centre to place on record all relevant documents and file notings reflecting its thinking culminating in the vaccination policy.

Paid vaccination policy for 18-44 age group prima facie arbitrary, says Supreme Court  https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-directs-centre-to-place-on-record-documents-file-notings-on-covid-19-vaccination-policy/article34708361.ece 

Prime Time: Need Report Comparing Vaccine Prices In India, Abroad: Supreme Court To Centre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsKYzxNgpnI The Supreme Court on Wednesday evening directed the centre to submit a report comparing domestic and international prices of Covid vaccines currently available in India. It also directed the centre to submit a number of documents, including a complete "purchase history of vaccines". A three-member bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, LN Rao and S Ravindra Bhat also questioned the centre on the "digital divide" - a reference to concerns that requiring people to register on CoWIN would hamper vaccination efforts in rural areas, where access to the internet is unreliable. The centre has also been asked to "place on record a roadmap of projected availability of vaccines till December 31, 2021". The court will take up the case again on June 30. 

What will be the Centre’s next step after SC ripped into 18+ paid vaccine rollout? | India Upfront https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eylqZDIMR_o   SC seeks data from states on whether they will jab for free. The bench has also asked for the projected date of supply of covid, seeking clarification on how the government has spent Rs 35,000 Cr marked for jabs. Dr Sayed Zafar, MP& National Spokesperson, BJP, contradicts the ongoing chaos stating that the states that earlier wanted to procure vaccines on their own are now complaining when the Centre has obliged with the demand.

Congress Party Briefing by Supriya Shrinate at AICC HQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7as3F2TxFY 

in English: https://youtu.be/V7as3F2TxFY?t=968

मझदार में फंसी PM मोदी के संसदीय क्षेत्र वाराणसी के नाविकों की ज़िंदगी  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCg8dk4cBpY 
Oct 21, 2021 प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी के संसदीय क्षेत्र वाराणसी के मल्लाह रोजगार को लेकर बेहद परेशान हैं, कोरोनाकाल ने उनकी जिंदगी को तबाह कर दिया है, घर चलाना मुश्किल होता जा रहा है। किसी प्रकार की कोई सरकारी सहायता ना मिलने से वे बेहद हताश और निराश हैं।

FPJ Explains: How soon would a COVID-19 vaccine expire? 

the claims and concerns raised over expired doses being given to the younger lot? This led to the Health Ministry issue a clarification and stated that the rumors were “false and misleading”. It pointed out that the shelf life of Covaxin, the only vaccine being given to the people below 18 years of age, had been extended in November after proper regulatory scrutiny, and as such these vaccine doses were as good as any. The approval was based on the availability of additional “stability data” which was submitted by the firm to CDSCO.  

“The shelf life of a vaccine is a reflection of how long the vaccine retains its potency and stability at a given storage temperature and therefore its effectiveness. Expiry dates do not affect the safety of the vaccine, rather are related to the potency or amount of protection the vaccine gives,” the World Health Organization (WHO) stated.  

Congress' P. Chidambaram demands audit on missing vaccines; Demands CAG report https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYFFOOB1yLg  The political war over vaccines is not going to stop any sooner, now ex-Finance Minister P Chidambaram has tweeted for the "Missing Vaccines" case. He has demanded a CAG-driven audit of capacity, production, dispatch, supply, and customers’ lists of the two domestic manufacturers to solve the 'mystery of missing vaccines'. He allegedly claimed that while there could be a discrepancy in capacity and production data, so he wanted to know the actual quantity produced so far by the two indigenous manufacturers. Chidambaram's assertion comes a day later Bharat Biotech issued its 120-day process from placing the vaccine to supply.