The decision of imposing a full lockdown for seven days in the Capital region was inevitable since positive Covid-19 cases during last few days had been rising with a speed that was beyond calculation of the administration as well as the state’s health apparatus. Evaluating the decision in the light of the science of virology in general and Covid in particular, it must be said that the decision had to be taken sooner than later, as, all the experiences gathered during this seemingly endless battle both in India and across the world suggest that lockdown, thus far, is the most effective preemptive measure. Despite the fact that there will certainly be an economic cost and a return of the ‘life vs livelihood’ duel, there is no way perhaps, but to give priority to the former. This has been the way life is being orchestrated by the virus where a permanent return to normalcy should never be expected and occasional return of lockdown is going to be the new normal.

Analysing the pattern of spread in Capital, although the majority of recently erupted new cases can be attributed to returnees, taking cue from the pan-national trends, it will not be an overestimation to say that it will take very little time for penetration into the rest of the denizens if guards are not taken, only because the virus is a most contagious one. The overall national picture will endorse that the alarming rise in cases is primarily due to this factor and that the spread has been silent and rapid has now come under radar simply because the number of tests have increased. Late Sunday evening, a series of distressing news came as an avalanche- the highest single-day spike of 24,850 new Covid cases and 613 deaths in last 24 hours, taking the positive count to 679,520 and death toll at 19,380. And as if winning a rat-race, India is now the third most affected country, overtaking Russia!

The blueprint for heightening the challenge, as reiterated by the medical experts will be the same one, as originally stated from day one- testing, isolation and quarantine. If this forms entirely the government’s onus, on the part of the citizens, the precautionary protocols have assumed much greater meaning now. In this regard, Kerala government’s decision to make the Covid-19 safety guidelines compulsory for a year by amending the concerned legislation is most appropriate. If the citizens are uncooperative, the route of law is the only option that remains left.

Arunachal must use this 7-day hiatus from normalcy by fine-tuning all the combat mechanisms. An equal degree of reciprocation is also expected by the denizens. This collaboration must be kept intact till the vaccine goal is achieved. 

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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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