It has been a very disturbing day amid the prevailing Covid 2.0 not just because nearly 3 lakh people have joined the sick list and more than 2000 have perished in last 24 hours. The above figures are hardly surprising now, however, the tragedy that unfolded at Dr Zakir Hussain Hospital in Maharashtra's Nashik causing 24 deaths just due to shortage of oxygen due to a tanker leakage is a real shocker. The incident can’t be discounted and bracketed just as an accident and there is a need to cast a deeper vision into the overall circumstances that actually caused its making. Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray’s comment on the incident will be a just reflection of the actualities : “Corona crisis has plunged the country into a vicious cycle where there is a heterogeneous battle going with no oxygen, no medicines and no beds and patients are dying.”  It will be unjust if political hue or angle is searched to undermine the situation. It’s exactly so and getting worse.

There was a marked jubilation over the decision that all individuals above 18+ From May 1 will be eligible to take the life-saving shots. It requires no elaboration that it has diluted to a good extent in no time, thanks to the informative news that flowed in from the still-alive institution of serious journalism in the country, bringing home the truth that India is facing an acute crunch in availability of the vaccines. Keeping aside the availability factor for a while, from the ‘trailers’ on the possible prices, it’s clear that yet another episode of the extended drama is about to unfold and it’s going to be packed with thrills. While the Centre-mandated price for paid vaccination as of now has been Rs 250 per shot, from Wednesday’s development, it’s nearly certain that it will be in all probability between Rs 700-1000 per jab. While all attention is now on prices, little talks have been devoted on the more important issue-when will it be available in market. Evidently, there is no definite answer neither from any of the stakeholders since everything about Covid vaccine(s) is uncertain. Despite the hype surrounding the ‘Tika Utsav’ and the ‘enviable speed’ with which India is surpassing the most-advanced nations in accelerating the overall drive (necessary to take note that the fat numbers of vaccination are being repeatedly flashed and not the actual percentage of population covered), the fact that remains unchanged is with the current coverage rate, not even 70% will be covered if the year-end timeline is taken into consideration.

Amid confusion, it’s a sea of uncertainty now for the country. 

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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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