Unmasking the second wave of pandemic in India!

 Indian governments are in quandary now not knowing how to curb the fast- spreading tentacles of second wave of corona express.

Both central and state governments, especially Maharashtra, Kerala, Delhi, West Bengal, Andra Pradesh and Telangana, are fighting hard to minimize the death toll but are in helpless situation with overcrowding critical care centres, running out of oxygen cylinders, beds and crucial life-saving drugs like Remdesvir, drifting the situation to out of control.

When first phase struck in early 2020, we were not prepared. No one knew for sure how the virus would impact the human’s immune system and enter into lungs. But now we are prepared, we know the symptoms, and how important to consult health expert when we have early symptoms. But still, we have alarming death rate which have crossed more than 2000 now.  We have the world record of highest singly day cases, which have crossed 3.5 lakh now.

Ironically, the countries who are well above India in global economic and pollution list, are not much affected, so far. To Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Nepal, where we had sent millions of doses of vaccines recently as part of ‘Vaccine Deplomacy’, are turning their heads now. They even have issued advisory to stop their citizen to visit India.

Even US, which was earlier declined to help India to send critical components for making vaccines, came under intense criticism across

 the globe and has now agreed to send life-saving consignments to help millions of Indians who are struggling to breath.

When we managed to contain the first wave of pandemic efficiently with our limited health resources, what is the reason for the second wave , which has struck severe than before and have now gone out of hands killing more people than ever?

After seeing the declining in numbers several state governments had relaxed the curbs on activities and threw open public places like theatres, parks, malls, tourist and religious places late 2020. People also took it easy, not bothered to wear mask and maintain social distancing. Those who wore masks got ridiculed. NO one objected to that. Then came the wedding season, elections to states and now the maha kumbh mela.

Everywhere, the corona safety protocols have been floated. People thought we had defeated corona. NO leaders or experts warned them. NO restriction were imposed on people to move around freely in large numbers or gather at a particular place.

So, it is people who have to be blamed for the second wave in which we have lost quite a number of our near and dear ones. People should have shown some civic sense and restrain. There should also be some regulations, imposition of strict measures and guidelines.

In the presence of none, people started enjoying the new found free atmosphere (getting after a year or so), freely spreading the virus to known and unknown.

Responsible countrymen make responsible governments. So, for this pathetic situation, people have to be blamed and the government comes second.

Can we still contain the spread of covid 19? We can.

Vaccinating the entire population who are vulnerable and also those who are above 50 should be taken up on priority within six months (without playing politics). Like Korea, we should use artificial intelligence to track vulnerable population and vaccinate them fist.

Secondly, by imposing strict rules and guidelines and implement the same with iron hand, we can surely contain the pandemic and save millions of people from the death trap. When China can do it, we too can. Let good sense prevail.