The Government seems to react adversely over criticism on its handling of the pandemic. The intolerance is nothing new, and successive Governments have been isolating critics and punishing them in their ways. Today is a different matter altogether, as I have decided to state my mind.
Agreed, the impact of the Covid pandemic is worldwide, and it has affected the developed nations severely as it did to the developing nations. India was basking in the glory of having defeated the virus as early as September ’20, little realizing the unleashing second wave waiting at its doors. We returned to normal life, social distancing and the mask discarded by blind devotees who trusted God more than the doctors’ advice.
Although we are among the selected few nations to develop the vaccines, the planning for its pricing and distribution has left much to be desired. Many in the Social Networks sprang up to defend the right of the vaccine makers to charge differently for the Central Government, the States and the Private hospitals. Today, the 1st of May, the designated day for vaccinating the age group 18-44 could begin only in 6 states. There is no vaccine available, which is the chorus by most states.
Why should there be different prices at all? Merely because the vaccine is being administered at a private hospital cannot make it four times more expensive. I have seen posts, which justify the higher price of the vaccine at a private hospital to the price of scotch or a Coke at a five-star hotel as against an ordinary place. How sadly their minds are clouded ignoring the Government’s responsibility. I must say, I am neither rich nor poor and have been paying my taxes throughout my life. The Government has been living on my taxes and not the other way so far. The story is the same for most like me. If the Government, like in this instance of a pandemic, cannot come forward and assume all liabilities, would they ever get another opportunity to do so ever?
The Government cannot wash away its obligations towards its citizens, many of who have no jobs, no income and are running from one place to another for the sake of survival. The beds are scarce, the oxygen unavailable, and life-saving medicines are available only in the black market. Community help has come in a big way to help the affected, which the Government must have done.
Letting the election rallies go on as if the supporters have a safety net was a fallacy. The PM stating, “I have never seen such crowds,” over the crowds at his rallies and on the same evening bemoaning of Covid and calling a meeting of the CM’s are examples of a bipolar disorder of the Government.
As I write, nearly 20 million Indians have been affected by the Covid pandemic, more than 3.5 million active cases. More than 200000 have died, and died too is the accountability of the Government. If the PM was busy with his poll battles, the Union Health Minister could have made crucial decisions to manage the pandemic, the distribution of the vaccine and crowd curbs.
I do not buy lies nor stories, as the reality of the two lacs plus dead is a stark reality, and we could have avoided much of the deaths.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
