Dr Sanjay Kumar Bhasin
India reported first COVID-19 case on 30th January 2020, about 21 days after first death in China. Now the outbreak has been declared an epidemic in more than a dozen states and union territories, where provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 have been invoked. Unfortunately, when whole of the world was sharing dangerous trends of the disease and ways to control the deadly pandemic that can kill millions, the Indian whatsapp and Facebook University was busy in cracking jokes and posting absurd comments. Even the big politicians were challenging Corona Virus in the name of God Rama and some were suggesting use of Cow Urine & Cow dung Biscuits as permanent remedy and prophylaxis for COVID-19.
GoI under Prime Minister sensed that nothing of above sort is going to save India from huge human loss but the scientific measures to carve this deadly menace engulfing mankind very fast. So on 22 March 2020, Prime announced ‘Janata Curfew’ from 7 A.M to 5 P.M and at 5 P.M directed the masses to Clap & Beat plates (Tali Aur Thali) from the roof tops of their houses. Many displayed absurd behavior by coming on roads and doing the needful, social media posts revealed few big politicians and even one Governor of some state doing it in their lawns along with hundreds of people. And on 24-03-2020, India reported 519 COVID-19 cases with 10 deaths and 40 recoveries. All these things compelled our Honble PM to declare complete lockdown of the country for 21 days, in fact scientifically backed decision that should be widely applauded, respected and adhered with.
Responsibility of Citizens: The figures have almost touched 3000 now) it includes all MPs, MLAS, Panchayt leaders and Urban Local Body leaders and commoners to behave responsibly. They should make people understand about present and future impacts of disease on social, educational and economic fabric of the nation if the pandemic is not controlled at this juncture. All must understand that India has already entered 3rd phase of the pandemic and hence (i) Social isolation/distancing (ii) Voluntary disclosure of the travel history/contact history & (iii) personal and surrounding hygiene is all that we shall responsibly and dedicatedly practice.
Responsibility of the Govt.:
* Mobilization of entire healthcare workforce in a calculative manner and without unnecessarily human resources at this phase of combating the pandemic.
* Protection of healthcare professionals by providing Personal Protection Equipments (PPE) in adequate quantity wherever needed.
* Black marketing of the surgical items must be checked and all involved in such acts must be punished severely.
* Adequate number of ventilators must be kept handy along with other supportive items. For this fast track local manufacturing should be encouraged.
* Continuous encouragement of healthcare professionals is must, the way PM did it on Tuesday.
Responsibility of Corporate Houses & Celebrities: they all have earned name, fame and money by virtue of being Indians. Majority of corporate houses are direct beneficiaries of majority of government schemes and loans, moreover the work force have made these houses successful by their blood and sweat. Baba Ramdev very well know that he has no remedy for COVID-19, hence he should help establishing Isolation wards & COVID dedicated hospitals by contributing financially. Similarly; Ambani, Adania, Wadia, Bajaj and likes should come forward and procure at least 30000 ventilators and donate them to the Govt. COVID dedicated hospitals. They should also take care of slum dwellers during these 21 days by providing them with at least 02 meals a day. The Cinema and Sports celebrities should also come forward and help Government in these hours of difficulty. Mind it, if we enter into the phase where Italy and US entered and China recovered, 15000 crores health package announced by PM shall be too less. Even the big religious Trusts like Jagannath Puri, Akshardham, Shirdi and similar others must come forward and help the country come out of the present crisis.
Expectations of World from India: India is credited with controlling and eradicating Small Pox & Polio. So world is well aware of India’s in build determination since long to combat, that is why the World Health Organisation executive director Michael Ryan said that India had “tremendous capacity” to deal with the corona virus outbreak and, as the second most populous country, will have enormous impact on the world’s ability to deal with it. Although India is a little behind screening the people earlier coupled with deliberate non disclosures by the foreign travelers and contacts, yet the complete lockdown of the whole country for 21 days is going to have tremendous impact on controlling the community spread beyond the domains of where it has reached today.
Future of COVID-19 in India: depends upon how the silent contacts and non voluntary disclosures behave in the next 15 days. The ability of the Government machinery to catch hold of such individuals, put them to adequate quarantine and further contact tracing shall also help curtailing the disease. The figures given by experts regarding quantum of Indian population that can get COVID-19 in next 15 days is alarming. Even if we are able to curtail the pandemic, there is a fear of reemergence of this in the month of Nov/Dec 2020 again. So the governments must strategies for future as well and equip itself with human as well as material resources.
Conclusion: Thucydides (460-404 BC), greatest of ancient Greek historians and witness to first epidemic of the world, wrote, “All the birds and beats that prey upon human bodies, either abstained from touching them or died after tasting them. In proof of this, it was noticed that birds of this kind actually disappeared; they were not about the bodies, or indeed to be seen at all”.
So let us learn from the history, behave rationally and responsibly towards ourselves and the society, desist from superstitious beliefs, adopt scientific temperament, disclose the information to the government and with positive energy as one Nation, help the government in fighting out this man mad medical disaster.
(The author is Honorary Secretary, JK Chapter of Association of Surgeons of India)
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