"Low income countries must ensure that Covid-19 containment strategies include the poor continuing to earn a living and access food. So in other words, these countries must ensure that some sectors remain open for the daily wage earners who in Pakistan are not registered and the food supply chain must not be disrupted."
"You are twice noble."
"What do you mean?"
"You know the expression twice blessed? Your statement compelled me to say you are twice noble."
"I am not sure that is grammatically correct..."
"Hey we all speak Minglish and as far as grammar is concerned I know of very few citizens of the Land of the Pure who speak grammatically correct English. But any way I will give you the two reasons that prompted me to say you are twice noble: first by the containment strategy you enumerated above you are doing Shibli Faraz's job and that too without any perks or benefits and second you are supporting the long standing view of none other than The Khan who, as we all know, is an honourable man."
"So was Julius Caesar and see what happened to him."
"Hey, The Khan's Cassius is Zardari sahib and Nawaz Sharif - he doesn't associate with them. I mean Caesar was assassinated because he got close to his assassins while The Khan keeps them at a greater distance than warranted by the Coronavirus and..."
"Don't be facetious and who is The Khan's Brutus?"
"The difference between a Pakistani and an Italian Brutus is that the former bides his time and moves in when all hope recedes for the continuation of the premier decision maker in the country so I reckon our Brutus (in plural) will only strike when all the powers that be have abandoned The Khan's ship and it is sinking..."
"Don't be facetious, but anyway when I said what about the Covid-19 strategies I wasn't quoting Shibli Faraz or The Khan. I was quoting the International Growth Centre (IGC), which is based at the London School of Economics and consists of pre-eminent economists and health experts who have advised that low income countries containment strategies to stop the spread of Covid-19 must ensure people can still earn a living and access food."
"What did they say exactly?"
"I quote, low income countries, which have moved fast to introduce lockdowns similar to those in developed countries, risk causing acute hunger and deprivation. For millions of households living hand to mouth, the resulting collapse in earnings can mean the difference between life and death. Governments should focus on 'smart' containment strategies informed by the local context and local data. These strategies should promote physical distancing, where feasible, while ensuring continued access to food, critical healthcare, and other essential items, and the continued functioning of related supply chains."
"But I bet if more people die from the virus the IGC would say the correct balance was not struck."
"Ha, ha, I guess but if a politician can always have a fallback position then why not academicians and health experts?"
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