- distress (noun) – difficulty, trouble, suffering.
- amid (preposition) – in the middle of, surrounded by; during.
- COVID-19 (noun) – coronavirus disease 2019.
- stringent (adjective) – strict/stern, severe, tough/rigorous.
- lockdown (noun) – an emergency protocol implemented by the authorities that prevents people from leaving from a place; An extended state of confinement/encirclement/isolation of a person by the authority.
- pandemic (noun) – the worldwide spread of a new disease; The illness spreads around the world and typically affects a large number of people across a wide area.
- travails (noun) – ordeal, trouble, hardship; struggle, painful effort.
- trigger (verb) – cause, give rise to, bring about, prompt.
- exodus (noun) – mass departure, evacuation, leaving/exit.
- by/on foot (phrase) – by walking (instead of travelling by a bus/train or using other transport).
- dependent upon (adjective) – based on, depending on, relying on.
- strand (verb) – get stuck, be in a place (unable to move).
- stare at (verb) – look fixedly.
- livelihood (noun) – source of income, means of support, subsistence; means of making a living with the basic necessities (food, water, shelter and clothing).
- better off (phrase) – in an advantageous position.
- safety net (noun) – something which gives protection against misfortune or difficulty.
- avail (verb) – use, utilize, make use of.
- humane (adjective) – compassionate, considerate, sympathetic, kind-hearted.
- dormant (adjective) – inactive, passive, inoperative.
- incentive (noun) – reason, motivation, encouragement; stimulus, impetus, boost.
- viable (adjective) – manageable, feasible, effective.
- fatality (verb) – death, casualty, mortality/loss.
- dilemma (noun) – quandary, predicament, difficulty.
- compensate (verb) – recompense, repay, pay back, reimburse (for one’s losses).
- infirm (adjective) – weak, feeble, unwell/in poor health.
- resume (verb) – restart, recommence, begin again.
- heed (verb) – pay attention to, take into account, consider.
- futile (adjective) – useless, senseless, pointless.
- flock (verb) – gather, assemble, go/come in large number, crowd.
- gear up (phrasal verb) – prepare, take the necessary steps, get ready.
- facilitate (verb) – make easier, make possible; assist, help, aid.
- the least (pronoun) – the minimum, smallest, slightest amount.
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