It will not be an over-statement that a national health emergency is in the making and it’s not just due to an explosion of cases and deaths, but also due to a host of other factors. Topping the ‘other factors’ list will be a shortage of vaccines, followed by others such as critical oxygen supply, beds and those related to other life-saving measures required for pulling out Covid patients from the jaws of death. The health infra is bound to face such terrible odds if cases continue to rise in a pattern that is more than exponential. If Sunday added 1.33+ lakh, on Monday it was 1.68+ lakh and in terms of casualties it was a jump from 839 to 904 within 24 hours. Massive reduction of the three fundamentals of Covid war- testing, tracing and isolation followed by a limited and restricted vaccination rollout are the reasons and putting the quantum of blame on the populace for relinquishing SOPs should better be stopped now. The narrative that it’s all due to the five states of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala which cumulatively so far have accounted for 70.82% of the country’s total Covid-19 active cases is also too cliché to be repeated since many other states are in ‘pipeline’, if their emerging trends are any indication. The mid-September-202 national helplessness has revisited and perceptibly in a greater magnitude.

Arguably, it’s a catch-22 situation now and for the states feeling upsurge of cases, going for complete lockdown is a difficult proposition and even restrictions such as night curfews, zone-wise lockdowns and weekend lockdowns have to be taken after hours of meetings. It’s hugely perplexing now what to do- save lives by reimposing lockdowns or halt everything that would otherwise mean a near-hunger-like situation for more than 80% of the population. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has proposed some measures of which the ones being discussed more are immediate transfer of Rs 6,000 under DBT to all eligible citizens’ account, expeditious approval of new vaccines to mitigate shortage and full exemption of GST from all equipment, instruments, medicines and support infrastructure required to fight Covid. How many of them will be taken with seriousness is a matter of speculation since the political culture of hearing the opposition, however genuine their suggestions are, has seen an erosion. However, as per reports, the country might be having its third Covid vaccine- Russia’s Sputnik V as the national expert panel has recommended granting approval for restricted emergency use with certain conditions.

It should be acknowledged that a national health emergency is knocking at the doors which requires some ‘special measures’. Remaining in denial mode will spare none. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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