No More Lockdowns, Shed Covid Fatigue (The Economic Times)

Quick takes, analyses and macro-level views on all contemporary economic, financial and political events.

A man steps in the same river twice, held Greek philosopher Heraclitus, on the ground that constant flow has changed the water of the river and that the man himself has changed. It is futile to try and contain the second wave of Covid visible now in some parts of the country with the lockdown that was imposed to contain the virus in the initial phase of the pandemic outbreak. Containing the virus now calls for not lockdowns but a combination of rigorous enforcement of Covid-appropriate behaviour and intensification of the vaccination drive.

Immunity kicks in within a couple of weeks of receiving the first dose of the vaccine. Millions of people have been vaccinated and are immune in the regions where the virus is running amok now. Instead of a generalised clampdown on activity, what is called for is getting those vaccinated to lead the country’s journey to a post-pandemic world, and to increase the numbers of those vaccinated, by enhancing vaccine supplies. Those infected must be treated at home, if their symptoms do not warrant hospitalisation, and those homes must serve as micro containment zones, to prevent Covid spreading further. Wearing a mask and maintaining social distance have been sacrificed in the election campaigns. It is time for the same politicians who did not bat an eyelid while addressing unmasked crowds to now demand that their followers wear masks and avoid forming large groups. Political parties and their associated youth and student organisations should campaign for shedding Covid fatigue and community adoption of masking, social distancing and frequent sanitisation of one’s self and surroundings.

Increasing vaccine supplies is key to stepping up the pace of vaccination. Regulators must grant emergency authorisation to vaccines that have found approval in jurisdictions with sound regulatory practices. The government must issue compulsory licences to manufacture some of these vaccines at scale. The EU is fighting to corner a larger share of the vaccine output. But the real challenge is to increase the supply of vaccines.

Courtesy - The Economic Times.

Share on Google Plus

About न्यूज डेस्क, नई दिल्ली.

This is a short description in the author block about the author. You edit it by entering text in the "Biographical Info" field in the user admin panel.