A unique phase of the pandemic

Over the last couple of days, I have noticed that the Letters to the Editor section of this daily was mostly about the coronavirus and how the pandemic is taking a toll on us and what steps need to be taken. While it is surely one of the worst outbreaks in the history of mankind, claiming thousands of lives worldwide already, ironically the contagion seemed to have a rather positive impact on certain things.

For example, the tension in Syria and Libya has eased down for now. Saudis are no longer bombing Yemenis. Iran has temporarily freed thousands of political prisoners. The US has decided to withdraw its troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. Israel has stopped bulldozing Palestine. Terrorists don't seem to be as frightening. Donald Trump does not talk about "walls" or "tariffs". Narendra Modi is no longer busy sharpening his CAA rhetoric. Religious clerics don't claim that Covid-19 is God's punishment for the evil-doers only.

Mankind, for some odd reason, seems to be united like never before as they join hands to fight their common enemy.

Mohammad Kabir, Dhaka