An Introduction to Biopolitics and Shock Economy of COVID-19: Medical Perspectives and Socioeconomic Dynamics

Abstract

This edited volume on the biopolitics and shock economy of COVID-19 crisis embraces a wide spectrum of topics such as shock economy, medical perspectives on COVID-19, application of geospatial technology, infectivity, immunity, and severity of the disease, as well as ontology of the disease emergence as important factors for adoption of relevant biopolitical measures, sociocultural obstacles, COVID-19-induced transaction costs, social support and resilience of inhabitants of marginalized areas, as well as business resilience factors, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation. Through each chapter of this book, the authors, with their expertise in the theme they picked, have attempted to unfold some emerging aspects in the COVID-19 crisis which could benefit not only the academics but also the institutional, social, economic, developmental, and health policy-makers as well as the health practitioners on the ground.

Since the causes of mortality are infinite,

which road, then, shall we bar?

A hundred windows and doors facing towards mordant death

are ever creaking as they are opened,

From greed for provision the ear of the covetous

does not hear the harsh creaking of those doors of death.

From the side of the body, pains are the noise of the door;

and from the side of enemies, maltreatment is the noise of the door.

My dear friend read for one moment the table of contents of Medicine

look at the flaming fire of diseases!

Through all those tumors there is a way into this house:

at every two steps there is a pit full of scorpions.

The people said, “O you company of impostors,

where is the evidence of knowledge of medicine and usefulness?

So that they compiled medical books.

and were relieving the body from pain.

Every part of you is an army of God.

in accord they are obedient to you now, not sincerely’.

Open the Medicine and read the chapter on diseases,

that you may see what is done by the army of the body.

The fine artifices of geometry or astronomy,

and the science of medicine and philosophy—

Which are connected only with this world

and have no way up to the Seventh Heaven

How shall the excellence of the art of medicine be made manifest

when there is no emaciated invalid?

So that they compiled medical books

and were relieving the body from pain.

What medicine are you? What are you? What is your name?

To whom are you hurtful and for whom is your usefulness?”

Listen; come hither for the incurable disease!

We, one by one, are a medicine for the sick.

That such a medicine as this is suitable to such a desperate malady,

for the purpose of success

The usefulness of every external object is, indeed, internal:

it is latent, like the beneficial quality in medicines.

The people said, “O you company of impostors,

where is the evidence of knowledge of medicine and usefulness?

Open the Medicine and read the chapter on diseases,

that you may see what is done by the army of the body.

What medicine are you? What are you? What is your name?

To whom are you hurtful and for whom is your usefulness?”

When the Decree comes, the physician is made foolish,

and the medicine too loses its beneficial effect

Till he cleanses your humors with medicine,

how will the indisposition be removed? How will a cure be affected?

When your body falls ill it makes you seek medicine

and if it grows strong it makes you an outrageous devil.

(Rumi. 1207–1273iv, P. 195; iii, P. 171: iv, P. 82, 95; i, P. 204; iv, P.

81, 82; iii, P. 170; vi, P. 152,; iv, P. 181; iii, P. 171; iv, P. 51, 81; v,

112; vi, P. 148, 89)