After increasingly perceptible improvement in the overall position of the COVID virus pandemic in the country following calming down of the third wave comparatively quickly than the earlier two disastrous ones, of late in some states, cases of isolated infections have started showing an increasing trend. While it is practically not possible to rule out any spread to other places from such states though the Prime Minister has exhorted the specific states in the country to take all steps to fight it down, yet there is an increasing need to remain highly vigilant and careful. A general feedback right on the ground as seen in Bazars, streets, Malls etc is that cautious people still continue to wear masks despite announcements of fully lifting of lockdown restrictions while majority of them are seen moving without any masks let alone maintaining social (physical) distance. It is better to “keep wearing seat belts” even if the sign or reading about it is removed , for safety reasons as we often see when travelling by air and in the same way , it is quite safe to keep wearing a mask when out of home as that would save a lot from getting slipped away from our hands, in many cases , unfortunately, not to be retrieved.
We must feel really thankful to all those medical scientists, pharmaceutical companies, Hospital managements, technicians, Doctors, Nursing staff and the like in the country who took upon the gigantic and most challenging task of universal vaccination against the virus as that alone till date is thought as a protective shield , if not a guaranteed cover, against the dreaded virus. In the absence of such an effective ”weaponry” against the virus, how precariously dreaded the likely situation would have been , the very idea thereof sends shivers down the spine. It is again a matter of quite satisfaction that 85 per cent of the adult population in India is fully vaccinated while 90 per cent of it are vaccinated with the first dose only. A herd immunity or as we call it in common parlance as population immunity can be an indirect protection from the infectious virus which happens in two ways, technical and expert views notwithstanding, by vaccination or getting immunity through previous infection, mild or severe. Perhaps, that speaks about the third wave passing off without causing much damage on comparative basis.
It is quite in the fitness of things that the Prime Minister himself recently took notice of the trend of isolated increased cases of infection in three states and talk direct to the Chief Ministers virtually and appreciating their efforts, as also the concerned officers and Corona warriors in fighting a long battle against Corona virus, in the spirit of true cooperative federalism . The PM was rightly categorical in advising , among other things, about not lowering our guard in any way ”as the threat / challenge of the COVID pandemic is not fully over as yet”.
It has been reported that the virus in its new variant was affecting and infecting younger age groups more than other groups though it is not fully confirmed , yet the complaints of running of high fever among many students in some Delhi schools due to the infection is a cause of alarm. The school authorities , therefore, had to withdraw earlier relaxation of not wearing masks followed by the warning by Delhi Government to close those schools where COVID safety norms and COVID Appropriate Behaviour were not followed. Hence, in this connection, the Prime Minister has informed that the priority of the Government was vaccination of all eligible children at the earliest. It is, therefore, necessary to pool all efforts towards organising special campaigns in the schools . Parents, as a natural corollary, should have no worries about the safety of their children at schools , therefore, vaccination and adhering to safety norms were of utmost import. It is to be realised that after a long gap of nearly two years , schools are opened which cannot be allowed to be closed every now and then as a matter of immediate and rather ultimate alternative to protect children as it has got other psychological and emotional connotations which affect the development of the young scholars’ personality besides making them vulnerable to emotional stress. Hence operating with utmost caution in every sphere of activities was the only solution unless we are prepared to bear the unaffordable alternative.
It is true that the country is more poised for and with increased strength to fight any resurrection of the virus as the position of health related infrastructure, particularly availability of oxygen supply, medicines, vaccines and for all age groups is better now as compared to what it was two years ago , however, it is better to prevent and save than to rush for corrective measures later . It is , therefore, better that our guard against the threat of COVID is not lowered.
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