Strategies for war and tactics for battle largely depend on two
main factors.
1.
Capabilities
of the enemy
2.
Resources
available
The aim of a war as always is to come out victorious – to be able
to call the shots when the hostilities end.
The enemy
The enemy is invisible and in great numbers – potentially
outnumbering the human population by millions of times. It is another matter
that the enemy was not tackled when he first joined battle in a City in China –
the jury is out to decide whether it was by design or by default. But today the
enemy has infiltrated all over the world, within months. It, potentially,
exists everywhere near you. The characteristics of this “enemy” is same all
over the world.
Own resources
Resources including force levels will vary among countries with
one country as the basic larger fighting unit. The most potent resource that every
nation has to fight the disease is its population – for effectiveness of this “weapon”
the younger the populayion the better!!! To that extent India has an edge. So
what should be the strategy / tactics
1.
Strategies
(at National level)
a.
Prepare
for the worst and hope for the best.
b.
Slowdown
the spread (lckdown) – flatten the curve so that the available medical
resources are not overwhelmed (like it happened in New York)
c.
Explore
all avenues to shore up medical care (PPEs, gloves. medical masks, trained
medical personnel, basic medicines et al.)
d.
Employ
all available resources to find a cure
e.
Employ
all available resources to find a vaccine
f.
Disseminate
information and statics honestly
g.
Continue
with possible economic activities
2.
Tactics
(at State level)
a.
Employ
available test kits and methods optimally to detect infected cases
b.
Detect,
isolate / quarantine and trace contacts
c.
Ensure
essential services during lockdown
d.
Ensure
essential supplies during lockdown – especially to the underprivileged
e.
Keep
up the morale of the population
f.
Disseminate
information and statistics honestly
g.
Continue
possible economic activities
3.
General
points
a.
Remember:
While “GOD” is good for the soul science is the saviour of the body. Virus attacks
the body and not the soul
b.
Harping
on artificial differences (religion, politics) strengthens the enemy (virus)
and weakens you (the soldier)
c.
It is
not a war to be fought with weapons – it is a battle to be joined with
compassion, love and understanding
d.
Always
wear a mask in public – NOT to protect you but to protect others from the virus,
in case you have it and you do not know…THE MOST POTENT WEAPON to protect
others and hence the spread
e.
Practice
social distancing to protect yourself…and others too
4.
The
Bottom Line: DO NOT PANIC
