India Fights Corona

Let us start by asking a small question. 

What is COVID 19 pandemic all about? I am sure that all of you might have some ideas, opinions in your mind regarding this pandemic, administration and so on. 

It's a complex thing and such pandemics doesn't occur very frequently. So let us firstly know what is a pandemic? "It's a widespread of a disease prevalent over a whole country or the world." As we all know the Corona virus which is responsible for SARS-CoV-2 disease is found all over the world and the entire planet is struggling to make a way through it. Some countries as well as some parts of India did a good job in handling such medical emergency but some areas lagged behind. What's the reason of the virus being spread so alarmingly? 

If we go to see, the first COVID case in India was reported in Kerala around January 2020. Henceforth, the entire country was a COVID hotspot. India faced the first wave last year around March to October, it was in the month of September when the country saw it's highest daily surge. Now, since March India is witnessing the second wave with numerous strains and increased chances of infections. 

Handling the pandemic isn't an easy task. The role of Government And the citizens go hand-in-hand. It is quite difficult to manage such crisis especially in the country with huge population. 

Now during the second wave, we get to see a frequent blame game happening by the politicians and the people. Some are busy politicising the pandemic and blaming the opposition parties for the same. In such times, we all need to be together. After the first phase, when the cases were declining all over India, many people assumed that the pandemic was over and the 'Normal' routine has started. Unfortunately, this isn't stopped, the hospitals are running out of beds, oxygen supplies are less, death rates are also touching the new heights. The citizens also blame the Govt for this scenario, but conveniently forget how we all irresponsibly celebrated the victory after the first wave, without following the COVID appropriate behavior. This battle is not about gaining victory over a short span of time. It's about tracing as many cases as possible, treating them and vaccinating the population and this efforts mustn't stop until there are zero cases reported. Few mistakes were committed by the citizens during this medical catastrophe. It is seen 'Lack of fear has led to the dangerous second wave.' Fear isn't good but fear is what prevents us from something which is harmful. When we are fearful about the disease then only, we tend to follow the measures and protect ourselves and our family from this deadly virus. Now too, I see many people roaming without masks, not using sanitizers and to add insult to the injury, spreading fake rumours. All this if continued unabated, the third wave is inevitable. Only blaming the Govt won't help. In this context, an interesting piece caught my eye, "While travelling when the flight faces turbulence, do you secure your seatbelt or ask for pilot's resignation? " This is thoughtful, we as citizens collectively can work to stop this spread. Like this, if we work together, the corona virus won't be able to defeat our team spirit. 

"Corona virus has a big ego, it will not come to your home unless you go out and invite it." -- this kind of forwards were floating around on internet during the initial stages. This uncertainty and chaos is more about Humanity crises. The pandemic involves social issue, if any one person is affected & he doesn't follow the norms then there's a risk of people getting affected who are in his contacts. So we all as responsible citizens need to take care that none of the person gets in trouble because of us. 

In this context, it is worthwhile to note about the Mumbai Model, which is applauded even by the Supreme Court of India. While reading about it, I got some points which are helpful & admirable. The Bombay High Court even opined that the system put in place by the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Council) would definitely help other areas in tackling the pandemic. The steps taken are briefly reproduced. 👇

• Expert Medical task force - At the commencement stage, a medical task force was formed, who helped the State Government to tackle the pandemic and health crisis. As we know no other person can understand this better than a Doctor, so they tried solving the possible problems & reviewed the efforts taken by other countries for fighting the pandemic. 

• Jumbo Covid centres were introduced - These centres are well equipped with latest infrastructure for treating the patients who cannot isolate at their respective localities. These are set up near oxygen producing industries from where oxygen could be directly transferred to the needy patients by avoiding time consuming transportation. 

• Ward helpline numbers - Helpline numbers for several wards were introduced so that, citizens have access to the nearest hospitals and staff in case of need. 

• Sealing of the infected areas : for every positive case found, the Govt tried to trace atleast 20 high-risk contacts that might get infected. Tracing, testing & quarantining the infected people still remains to be the important step in handling the pandemic. 

• Lockdown was seen as the absolute solution : Declaring lockdown amid the surge of cases was a wise decision. Initially started with weekend lockdowns, the Govt imposed total lockdown in May first week. 

• The Initiative of 'Majhe kutumb, Majhi jababdaari' which means 'My family, my responsibility' was projected. This drive was launched in September 2020 by the state govt to collect and analyse the massive data. The officials went door to door, to check the status of people and this helped in creating awareness about the Corona virus. 

This model, 'Trace- test- isolate- treat' is proven effective in Maharashtra as the state once recorded the highest daily numbers in India. Now, the cases are considerably lowered because of these team efforts. 

India is a hub of vaccine manufacturing and even largest Vaccination drive took place in India. The good thing is that, the vaccine hesitancy has considerably disappeared. Thankfully, people didn't create any pseudo theories about the vaccines and people are earnestly waiting to get jabbed. All have understood that, the only hope we have, as of now is Vaccination. 

Now coming on a larger societal issue, Everyone thinks about themselves first. 'Prioritising ourselves' -- this thought is carved in our subconscious mind and that is the reason we see people behaving in inhumane manner. We mustn't forget that, every person is connected to one another. This is the concept of 'Ubuntu'. In this unforseen times, the very concept of Ubuntu will help us to tide over the present situation. It says, "Ubuntu is that nebulous concept of common humanity, oneness: humanity, you and me both."

Ubuntu simply means that we as humans should think about other humans and working together for the betterment of entire human race. Acting in the manner which would benefit all of us. Being kind towards each other, offering a helping and assuring hand, a shoulder to lean upon etc. If we all consciously follow this concept then it will definitely have positive impact on the society. “treat others the way you'd like to be treated.” Ubuntu speaks of that. We all are like a big family, the way we treat our family members in need, exactly in the same way we must be treating others.

The Govt as well as the people also need to think about the mental health which is getting tremendously affected in these difficult times. 

Psychologists and counsellors can give their valuable sessions in the Covid care centres where many Covid patients are kept for isolation. The patients are down with anxiety and stress. Such feel-good sessions can quickly boost their moods. The Covid centres can arrange big screens where the experts can communicate with them. Arranging some talks, sessions and activities can surely be very helpful for the person who is undergoing the treatment and craving for human care. 

The impact of media also affects our mental peace. The continuous bombarding of negative news by the Mainstream and also the social media creates deep stressful emotions inside us. Instead of spreading positivity, the news channels these days emits pessimism, which permeates all around. For mental wellbeing we shouldn't overwatch the news and social media negative updates. 

We aren't sure when this all is going to get over, but our efforts of eradicating the virus mustn't stop. Let us work together and defeat the common evil i.e. Corona virus.