With Fresh Covid Strains Surfacing In India, Complacency Will Be Dangerous
Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator.
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By Sunil Garodia
First publised on 2021-02-18 02:27:56
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Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator.
View all posts by this Author
Even as India is in the midst of the largest vaccination drive in the world, new strains of the Covid-19 virus have surfaced in the country to cause fresh concerns. One of these strains is from South Africa where Covishield, the vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India and being used extensively in the country, was found to be ineffective against the strain. In fact, South Africa has even asked Serum to take back the consignment that was delivered.
As it is, we are witnessing laxity all across India despite Prime Minister Modi repeatedly warning the citizens that despite the vaccination drive, there has to be dawai bhi and kadai bhi. People have thrown all caution to the winds and thousands are seen on the streets without masks and crowding in public places is back with a vengeance. Cases are rising once again n Mumbai and the city's Mayor has already warned citizens that if the situation deteriorates, the government will be forced to enforce lockdown once again.
With cinema halls, clubs, swimming pools and schools resuming operations and with board exams and elections in four states and one Union territory slated to happen in the next couple of months, the risk is huge. Unless citizens do not follow health advisories and protocols, there is a huge chance that the gains of last few months will be washed away and India might once again start reporting a huge number of cases with the chances of community transmission.
Although lockdown is not an option now given the huge economic costs, especially as the economy is showing strong signs of rebounding, the Centre and the states must appeal to the people to strictly follow health protocols like wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing in public places. If that fails, the authorities should start taking penal action against the offenders. Any complacency now would be dangerous and push us back in the fight against the virus.
Pic courtesy: ndtv.com
