Post February Spike Needs Patience & Tight Curbs

By Dr.Aaloc Srivastava

          Keeping in view grim Covid scenario, we appealed to relatives and acquaintances  many times.

It appears, it had negligible impact. May have fallen on immune ears.
India became second on 4th April after USA to exceed one lakh positive cases in a day.Previous peak of 98,795 was on 17 September.These numbers vaulted seven times in 52 days,up from 11,364 to 78,318.It was the sharpest rise .

Maharastra Leads

Given that rise in Maharastra has been mind boggling, State declared “Lock Down 2.0”, in April beginning, ordering full weekend L.D.,night Curfew,eating ban in restaurants and shutting shops,except essentials, till April end.

But situation deteriorated further.Of 13.9 million cases nationally,Maharastra’s share is 3.52 millions, contributing 58 % national cases and 34 % deaths on 7th April.
Coming to 24 hour cases, figure of Maharastra is 60,222 as against 1,84,388 cases, pan India.Active cases nationally too have surpassed 13 lakh mark on 14 April.
To add fat to fire,national positivity rate of 25% and 16 % of Delhi can further scare.

Unpredictable Kejriwal

He relishes swimming against the tide.So 586 % rise in 24 hour cases in a fortnight as compared to 16% rise in Mumbai in a week,can’t be ignored. Also its unfortunate to see 66,300 cases in eleven days.To make matters worse, UT recorded highest ever 17,282 cases in last 24 hours. However, Kejriwal’s review of Covid & Non- Covid deserves kudos.
Apart from Virus onslaught in Chennai,
Bengaluru & Pune,
Punjab and Chattisgarh too need to be mentioned.While both blame Centre to be unfavourably disposed of towards them,situation needs better management.

Dignity In Death

After ensuring correct reporting,adequate arrangements are necessary at ‘departure grounds’,viz carriage of dead body decently,preventing theft of organs,time management,one by one disposal etc.

Augment National Vaccination

Having administered 11.44 crore vaccinations,we have covered barely 2 percent  population(1.42 Crores) as regards both the doses.While irregular supplies  closed over 100 centers recently,Govt.functionaries tried cover up. Preventive and curative vaccines were also placed in black market.

Tiny Bhutan(62%),Israel(51%) & U.K.(49%) occupy top 3 places.One can learn from Israel experience.
While speeding up,we must deal firmly with vaccine black marketting. Reported involvement of some doctors is shameful.Ruling & opposition factor has to be forgotten.Also,be it Chinese or Russian cure, its better to postpone than repent.

Is Full L.D. Solution ?

The former L.D. in contrast to present ‘Chain Breaker’ could have saved many lives.Nomenclature change hardly matters.While most of States appear having pulled up sleeves,SS Maratha warriors refrain from being decisive in public interest but they may AIM to ensure stability of their Government.
Could we blame political weakness or unknown fear for such a state of mind ?
Lock Down coming ,coming,
………. .When ? It’s becoming akin to the infamous Wolf Coming.
When do we get rid of it ?

Labour Class

When migrant workers have begun departing again, is it not easy passage this time ?
Despite creating few Covid records, we are yet to close public gathering joints,cut down vegetable & grocery hours, withdraw city & inter state buses,metros and trains.Are we learning from phase 1 to perform better?

Learn,Burn & Earn

Either in a Pandemic we LEARN or do something in a hurried way to BURN.But we need to also ensure EARN factor for service class.No motivating word from RBI or cajoling expression of IMF is expected to take us out of the mess we have created for ourselves.

Super Spreaders

Why do we need Shahi Snans
,Navratras,Ramzan,Teeka Day,AmbedkarJayanti etc when chips are down ?
Adequate Control over these Super Spreaders is necessary.

The writer is Dr.Aaloc Srivastava, Ex-Chief Secretary, Sikkim.