FRONTLINE - May 08, 2020

In this issue

LOCKDOWN AND AFTER

Lockdown And After

In India, decisions on strategies to contain COVID-19 are being made on the basis of unreliable data, but two things are clear: the number of infections is still on the rise and once the lockdown is lifted there will be a resurgence of cases. The government needs to come up with a calibrated approach to manage both in the post-lockdown period.

9 mins

Data discrepancy

A couple of studies use naturally occurring control groups—passengers in the Diamond Princess and those who returned to Wuhan after foreign travel—and COVID-19 mortality data to calculate the Infection Fatality Ratio and with that work backwards to arrive at the true caseload in a country, which is far higher than the official numbers put out by countries.

8 mins

In search of a strategy

There is a lack of clarity on the epidemiological basis for the extension of the lockdown and an information gap at various levels on containment procedures.

9 mins

Raw deal to States

When cooperation and trust are the keywords for governments in the fight against COVID, the ruling dispensation at the Centre has, against the principles of federalism, undermined even the State governments’ spaces for negotiation.

8 mins

Rural distress

A countrywide survey of rural households during the lockdown confirms widespread distress and reaffirms the importance of public provisioning of food and other essentials, and of the urgent need for cash payments to stricken households.

10+ mins

Angling for a swap line

India’s central bank is in talks with the U.S. Federal Reserve for a swap line that will give it access to dollars at a time when it is experiencing large foreign capital outflows owing to the COVID-19-induced global economic crisis.

8 mins

Surprise surge

In Maharashtra, Mumbai is emerging a hotspot, but the people are generally happy with the government’s efforts to contain the virus and ensure that people’s needs are met during the lockdown.

5 mins

Community efforts

While non-governmental organisations step up to meet the food needs of migrant workers, the lack of adequate testing and the inordinate focus on Bengaluru remain worrisome.

8 mins

Bumpy road

Despite posting impressive recovery from a sharp spike in COVID-19 cases, Tamil Nadu is worried about losing a battle as lack of adequate testing kits has hampered aggressive testing during the lockdown.

10 mins

Court In Covid Times

The judiciary’s handling of cases relating to mitigation of the common man’s suffering leaves much to be desired.

10+ mins

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FRONTLINE Magazine Description:

India's National Magazine.

Frontline, the fortnightly English magazine from the stable of The Hindu, has been a distinguished presence in the media world for the past 27 years. As per the Indian Readership Survey (IRS) Q4, Frontline’s average issue readership is 152000. Its journalism is characterised by in-depth, insightful reporting and analysis of issues and events at the regional, national and international levels. It excels in long-form journalism. The topics Frontline covers range from politics, economics and social issues to the environment, nature, culture and cinema. Its cover stories are comprehensive. No other magazine reports world affairs as exhaustively as Frontline does. Its science coverage has won international acclaim. Intellectually stimulating books reviews and informative, exciting photo features are regular items on the Frontline menu. The magazine has remained particularly focussed on people's concerns and has therefore refused to accept uncritically the policies and programmes of successive governments. It has fought, and supported the battles against, social evils. Its fact-based, non-sensational stories with a strong human interest component have had an impact on decision-making at regional and national levels. In the process it has become a "compulsory read" for those who value truthful reporting and analysis. An important factor that sets Frontline apart from other magazines is its progressive orientation: it is unflinchingly secular, democratic and pro-people. Naturally, it has built up a loyal, intelligent and socially conscious readership