The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life for all; worldwide, people have been advised to stay at home.  The resulting closure of industries, transport networks and businesses has reduced pollution, but it has also brought to the fore, the tussle between lives and livelihoods.

The strict control measures (lockdown, travel ban, school closing) are not sustainable over long period of time because of associated social repercussions and financial impact on economy. This month’s cover story 'Impact of Coronavirus on the Indian Energy Sector' analyses both the short-term implications of the response to COVID-19 on the energy sector and some of the possible longer-term impacts that are yet to materialize.

We also remember that during the 2008 financial crisis, emissions were low, but quickly reached all-time highs when the economy recovered in 2010. Post the COVID-19 pandemic, it needs to be seen if humans will seize the opportunity and invest in renewable energy. We need to create a balance between the environment and the economy.

The COVID-19 has affected more than 210 countries and territories around the world. While most patients usually experience mild to moderate severity of the illness, it is the older patients and patients with pre-existing medical problems who are more likely to be serious and the disease may even prove fatal for them. In this issue, we have included two special reports. The first Special Report ‘Malnutrition and Susceptibility to Viral Infections’ discusses the relationship between malnutrition and susceptibility to viral infections, especially among young children. In India, 36 per cent children are underweight; and 58 per cent are anaemic; amongst adult women, 22 per cent have low body mass index and 53 per cent are anaemic. In this context, the report assesses the status of malnutrition and susceptibility to viral infections through the lens of other similar viral diseases and epidemics.

In 2017-18, the Government of India spent only 1.28 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on public health, with a plan to increase this share to 2.5 per cent by 2025; by comparison, the global average is 6 per cent. Nearly all of the budgeted amount in India is spent on maintaining and expanding the health system, with a focus on curing illness, and treating the diseased. Protecting public health through prevention is seldom emphasized in budgetary provisions. In India, the doctor: patient ratio is close to 1:10,000, as opposed to 1:1000 recommended by the WHO. Our second Special Report ‘War Against Novel Coronavirus’, opens new discussions on funds for the health sector, the equity in availability of resources across urban and rural India, and their adequacy within the communities. The article delves whether the new world order of protective and preventive action would last beyond the virulence of COVID-19.

The Feature of this month ‘Acknowledging Our Biodiverse World’ discusses the need to recognize the various ways in which our ecological diversity can be saved against exploitative anthropogenic activities, outbreaks and pandemics related to the emergence of deadly viruses, and more. The emphasis on linking biodiversity with our economic future and our livelihoods has never been more important than now. The current pandemic demonstrates the close relationship, and underlines the need for integrating bioresources in our development trajectory, instead of viewing biodiversity as a constraint or show-stopper.