Part 5/15:

Rajan warns that the pandemic's fallout extends beyond immediate economic contraction. The term "lost decade" encapsulates fears that the world's progress over the last 20 years in lifting millions out of poverty could be reversed. For many children, interrupted education could make them less competitive and more vulnerable to persistent poverty, creating a cycle that hampers development and growth for generations.

He underscores that the true extent of this crisis is hidden so far, but will become evident in metrics like school enrollment, literacy rates, and income levels as the pandemic drags on. The hope is that targeted efforts can limit the severity of this damage, but containment of the virus is fundamental to economic recovery.