India, July 16 -- The rising numbers of COVID-19 infection and mortality rates continue to heighten fear, anxiety, grief, and question our collective social and economic future. The pandemic is perhaps the first incident in modern history where everyone faces a common existential threat. Never had we imagined that people across the globe will be forced to stay home, say no to travel, and follow social distancing. The large spike in job loss and the threat of economic distress have dramatically transformed the way of life.

This unprecedented reality has adversely affected our social and economic networks which are now being restructured. However, there is still no clarity as to how to reshape the overall structure and what the next normal...