The corona-dictated lockdown which on Monday displayed a sort of scattered enforcement in context of the whole of India, on Tuesday, however, showed the first indication that in coming weeks, three weeks to be precise as underscored by the Prime Minister through his speech to the nation, it’s going to be total. To prevent from going the Italy or Iran way, there is no option now and the callousness which is still starkly noticeable might prove too costly. Meanwhile, with positive cases crossing 500 including the first from the Northeast in Manipur and deaths touching double figure, the most important thought that is visiting every mind is how much prepared the nation is in terms of medical infra in minimising the onslaught.

It will be futile to make a comparative analysis with the Western peers in this regard now, since, in face of ferocity of this still largely incomprehensible foe, even the most well-equipped medical structure will prove minnows. If at normal times the public health delivery system gasps for breath bogged down by the sheer number of patients with 1 doctor for 14000 people on an average, there should remain no extra expectation at this time of crisis. Nevertheless, there are quite a few facts that need an immediate attention. If masks and sanitizers are the bare essentials of the moment and are proving to be premium for common people in many parts of the country, for doctors and healthcare workers, the situation is not much different. According to reports, across UP, Jammu, Delhi and Puducherry there is a lack of N95 masks, sanitizers or protective equipment in hospitals, making the fightback further difficult. Exports of all these have now been banned, but should have been done at least a month before. Announcement of funds to fight corona was the nation’s expectation, and thankfully it has arrived at last to the tune of Rs 15,000 crore. But, the much awaited economic relief package is still to arrive and Tuesday’s measures announced by the FM have remained restricted to extension of dates of submission of IT returns and waiver of some rates only. The arc of this much-expected package must cater to the needs of the unorganised sector workers who are going to be the worst sufferers.

The lockdown was inevitable and could be made a success by the administrative machinery. But the overall fallout, of which the great economic disruption will cost the country deeply, must be addressed with humane outlook. For the corporate too, it’s time to be magnanimous and prove they are socially responsible. In a nutshell, it is to remind that time has come to think beyond just the lockdown. 

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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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