India has yet to recover from the adverse impact of last year’s lockdown that brought almost every sector to a grinding halt that hit the economy. It was subjected to severe criticism of the Prime Minister held accused of resorting to a centralised response to Covid-19 and thereby undermining federalism since health is a state subject.
This time, out of obvious panic reaction, the government is being criticised for not resorting to the lock-down which it says should be enforced as a last option.
Undoubtedly, the complete lockdown was the harshest option, and it hurt people across the board. But under given circumstances, it is understandable that very little was known about the Covid behaviour and its characteristics. Vaccines were not available, treatment was uncertain and even precautionary measures had not been clearly spelt out. Nor was the necessary infrastructure in place. The lockdown brought valuable breather, for scientists, health specialists and administration to arrive at containment measures and clinical management protocols.
But now, with an experience to our side and all these advantages, a full lockdown should be the last resort. Protecting lives also means protecting livelihoods. The second wave hit just as signs of revival were clearly discernible. Budget 2021 had unleashed a feel-good factor and business was edging towards a near-normal. A lockdown would turn the clock back and might even slow down the recovery. At least, there is no reason why local economies in relatively Covid-free zones should be subjected to lockdowns. The micro-containment zone approach advocated by the PM may well be the best way forward. Likewise, state governments are free to ask for Covid-negative certificates from visitors but banning cross-border movement should not be an option.
At this crucial juncture, the state governments should put thrust augmenting health resources caseload wherever needed the most to deal with the high alongside the vaccine rollout, serosurveys, widespread testing, enforcement of plain anti-Covid measures like appropriate masking preferably double masking and social distancing should be non-negotiable. The discipline of queuing up for services, even when shopping, worked well the first time around but fell prey to Covid fatigue. Policing of public behaviour may be unpopular but is necessary.
Going by predictions of a still greater surge in cases, state governments have to work in conjunction with the Centre to ensure adequate beds and supplies for critical care. The blame game must stop here as we will have enough time to criticise if the nation survives.
