Coronavirus: Dangerous Surge
Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator.
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By Sunil Garodia
First publised on 2021-03-13 03:36:06
About the Author
Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator.
View all posts by this Author
The surge in fresh Covid cases in March is a cause for grave concern. On Friday, the 12th of March, 24,866 new cases were reported in India, which was the highest in nearly three months. Out of this, Maharashtra alone reported 15,817 new cases, the highest single-day count in four-and-half months. This is a result of laxity all around. The state administrations all over India adopted a relaxed attitude when cases started dropping and people started to abandon the health advisories. Granted that physical distancing is becoming increasingly impossible with the opening up of all sectors (except education) and people going out to work in increasing number, other things like wearing a mask in public, washing or sanitizing hands regularly and not venturing out unless absolutely necessary are also not being followed.
More than 50% of the people out on the streets are without masks in almost all Indian cities and towns. People in congested places like wholesale markets and slums also go about their work as if the virus has gone away. People in public transport display a shocking indifference to the health crisis by not wearing masks and rubbing shoulders with strangers who might be asymptomatic carriers. If shops do not allow people to enter without masks, why can't public transport operators also be asked not to allow passengers without masks to board the vehicle? Why can't we once again start penalizing those who roam about without masks and put others at risk?
The people need to understand the gravity of the situation which still has the potential of going out of hand. Community transmission is still possible if the 25000 new cases jump to 100000 once again and the rapid spread will be difficult to control even as we vaccinate people. It is only through restraint on part of the people and vigilance on part of administrations that the spread can be stopped. Several questions need to be asked now. What is Maharashtra doing to stop the spread other than sounding warnings to the people about imposing lockdown once again? The time for warning is gone. It is now time for action and the state has to take the lead as it the worst infected.
The Centre must also make the vaccination drive open to all and must try and make the vaccine available in pharmacies. If we can inoculate at least 40 to 50% of the population within 6 months, we can achieve herd immunity. That, according to most experts, will stop the virus from spreading. But as long as that is not achieved, one feels that the administrations all over India have to once again be strict in implementing Covid health protocols if the people do not show self restraint.
