India, Oct. 25 -- As Covid restrictions hit, bizarrely, my department at Harvard had an idea about the impending massive lockdown well in advance. The institute asked me to refrain from two international trips to academic conferences that had been planned for March and April 2020. Tickets had already been booked by the hosts. After realising that I was unwilling to cancel, the institute director sought a meeting. In a serious tone, he advised me to call off all trips. A week later, the US announced the lockdown. I was grateful since some of my colleagues were stuck outside, and could not return to their families in the US.

As 2020 progressed, Covid deaths mounted. I called my mother, worried about her health. She seemed unperturbed. When...