Opinion: Internet restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic can be fatal

With the novel coronavirus confining billions of people to their homes, internet usage around the world has witnessed a sharp spike. Social distancing has called for new ways to connect with friends and relatives, mostly through video chat. Streaming services like Netflix have reported all-time highs in viewing traffic, and more patients and health care professionals are turning to telemedicine for health consultations. However, in some parts of the world, citizens are compelled to battle the pandemic without the internet, its entertainment, and more importantly, its depository of vital health information.