A decision to impose lockdown to contain Covid has always been delicate and difficult to take for any government. Although it’s the ultimate weapon to break the transmission chain, the economic cost is very high and in Indian context it’s perhaps globally highest as learnt from 2020’s experience. It’s particularly for this reason a national lockdown hasn’t been announced yet and states have been given freedom to decide themselves. The 7-day lockdown in the state capital that completed 3 days on Wednesday had to be taken under extreme compulsion- cases were mounting and even if they still are, it will be reasonable to expect that positive effects of week-long ‘sacrifice’ made by denizens will arrive in the long run. The IMC very correctly has decided to utilise the time in sanitizing the Covid-prone areas including hospitals, check gates, government offices, banks etc. It’s a matter of relief for the administration that denizens are obeying the norms. However, it will be interesting to observe if the behavioural transformation is carried forward when the lockdown is lifted. It will not be possible for police to maintain a 24x7 vigil to catch offenders spitting pan masala in public places or  youngsters riding two-wheelers without masks, for example. It needs to be imprinted in minds, especially by the young men and women of Arunachal Pradesh that it’s a different ball game this time- the strain, even if not precisely identified, is of a more lethal nature with blazing-fast capability of spreading. Instances in hordes are coming from all over the country that even the most-healthy of young individuals and regular gym-goers are landing in ICUs because of the ‘mistakes’.
From a series of forecasts about India’s current Covid graph that relied on mathematical models, it can be inferred that it’s in May middle the peak will be noticeable. Going by this assumption, which more or less is coming out to be true given the current exponential rise of daily infections in the country, the time chosen for the ICR lockdown has been quite correct from the medical point of view. However, the need for a further repeat of such lockdowns will depend on response coming from denizens, mainly the younger ones. If it conforms to the new standards desirable under Covid 2.0 situation, further lockdown(s) may not be required.
The state has earmarked Rs 65 crore for procuring vaccines and reportedly an order of 12 lakh doses has already been placed. The million-dollar question is when will the consignment land. Until there is a comprehensive vaccination coverage, danger will remain. However, necessity for further lockdowns, in ICR or elsewhere in the state, may not arise if citizens follow all Covid dos and don’ts diligently. 

---

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

<< Back to News List