Vivek Koul
Our country is currently going through the very tough and challenging phase with the daily surge in the number of Covid-19 positive cases and fatalities. The third phase of the nationwide lockdown is underway and this extension came amid considerable relaxations being introduced in non-containment zones across the country. The government has classified districts as red, orange and green zones based on their risk profiles and offered considerable relaxations in the districts falling in green and orange zones. With easing of curbs in the third phase of the lockdown, India is looking ahead to kick start the declining economic activities but that should not be done by putting the general public at large in danger. There has been an unprecedented rise in the number of Covid-19 positive cases in India from the last two weeks and the number positive cases may climb up to 3 lakh by the end of month June as per some reports. Recently director of AIIMS has also warned that Covid-19 pandemic in the country may not have peaked yet. The situation may be very alarming during the months of June-July as the positive cases are increasing exponentially these days. So the government's decision of easing curbs in the third phase of lockdown may prove disastrous as people can be seen coming out of their homes un-necessarily and directly flaunting the norms of lockdown without bothering about anything. Even the educated ones are making mockery of everything while roaming unnecessarily without any fear. Social distancing is seldom being followed now as the people are more interested to come out of their homes. Traffic snarls can be seen on the roads as factories, industries and other private firms have already started their normal functioning in J&K as per the directions of the centre government. To put more fuel to the fire, the UT J&K has now ordered opening of Universities, colleges and other training institutes with staff working on rotation basis. Various colleges across J&K have already turned into quarantine centres so working there will prove futile and there are chances that this virus may spread further. Principal, teaching and non-teaching staff have also expressed their resentment against the government's move of opening universities and colleges in J&K. It is very ironical that the J&K UT administration is going against the directions of the MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) by opening universities and colleges' in spite of knowing the fact that maximum colleges across the UT have turned into quarantine centres for covid-19 suspected cases. There is no denying the fact that the government by easing curbs in the phase third of this lockdown has itself invited a lot of trouble for the citizens thereby putting the precious lives in danger. It is not the ripe time for easing curbs in lockdown as the situation currently is so worrisome with the number of positive covid-19 case over 55,000 and fatalities have jumped up to 1800 with Maharashtra became the epicentre of maximum coronavirus cases in India. It is the need of the hour now that the strict restrictions be imposed across the length and breadth of India for the another one month which in the ultimate analysis will bring the situation under control. India is doing extraordinary well to bring the situation under equilibrium and kudos to those corona warriors who are toiling hard day and night for this common cause. Otherwise all their hard work will yield no result if we do not behave like a responsible citizen. The police personnel should also have to take stringent action against lockdown violators.
We too have to do our bit by staying at home like responsible citizens and help those who are needy and poor. We need to follow the government advisories from time to time in this context and must ensure social distancing at any cost. Immune system can be strengthened by practicing yoga and health hygienic must be given top priority. It is well known old adage that the prevention is better than cure and in this current situation this adage fits perfectly. Therefore the only mantra to fight this fatal virus lies in 3P's (i.e Protection, prevention and patience). We have to protect others by wearing masks in public, prevent ourselves by maintaining good health hygiene and immunity and must have patience as well. This way we can restrict the transmission of this deadly virus to spread through communities. The Covid-19 became a pandemic primarily because it is novel and till date no proven cure for this disease has been found out. So, it is clear that once a cure or a vaccine, which will help people build immunity against the virus, is found, the need of social distancing will gradually phase out letting loose the neck of the global economy which it has presently gripped. Till such a cure is found, social distancing, full-scale testing and rigorous quarantine is the only solution to restrict the spread of the virus.
