India is facing the second round of the vicious and lethal challenge, the Covid 19. While we began well, the States like Maharashtra and Gujarat, Delhi are now facing unprecedented spurt in the number of cases. Hospital beds have ceased to exist, and Oxygen cylinders have long vanished. Many are forced to breathe industrial grade oxygen. The crematoriums are overflowing with the Covid dead. Many bodies are consigned together due to the scarcity of funeral pyres and timber logs.
The new daily Covid cases now exceed two lacs, as we have climbed to the second most affected place on earth. Chhatrapati Shivaji Rail Terminus is overflowing with workers returning to their homes in yet another reverse migration. These workers, now fatigued after their second such gruelling experience, could hamper the production of the small industries, dependent on such informal migrant labourers. However, that could be a different story.
The political parties have not realised even now something called a national calamity and are behaving like truly sworn enemies going at each other’s throats. Finding fault with the Centre by the States and vice versa is the order of the day. Despite being the powerhouse of vaccine production, many States have shut down the vaccination centres for want of vaccines. The blame game must stop instantly, and the Centre come forward without any discrimination towards any State, particularly those which are now seriously affected.
There have been no strictures against gatherings while wearing a mask on self-driving is being enforced. It seems that religious and political gatherings are immune from the virus, and these communities could become the primary source of the Covid spread. Election rallies at this juncture seem grotesquely selfish and parochial. If the Hindus could sacrifice Ram Navami celebrations, Muslims the Id, Kumbh must have been cancelled for the sake of the revered Sadhus.
Social networks are full of sad obits; all the governments conceal the real data. The vaccination is now restricted to only those above 45 years of age, making the lesser aged youths more vulnerable, as evidenced now. While the exports of Remdesvir are banned, the vaccines exports have started to impede the local vaccination targets.
There seems to be a lack of information or misinformation about the more lethal variants of the Covid. Most think it is another passable flu. Cafes, restaurants, bars and discos are full. Cinema halls are back in business, as do the Malls. Everyone seems to have taken a cue from the political leaders on self-management and gatherings.
The Lancet report of 15th April has further queered the pitch regarding the virtual impossibility to restrain Covid. The virus is confirmed to be airborne, making the infection susceptible even indoors and with the mask on. We seem to have buckled under the pressure and are left with no leadership nor any direction as the death toll mounts and the stink of the burning bodies fill the air.
If now is not a wake-up call, when would it be?
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
