BY GOWHAR RASHID
COVID-19 “second Wave” or let’s say COVID-19 comeback or else COVID-19 was still there but was neglected by the people. As it is apparent that there is a rapid rise in coronavirus cases in India (314,835 new cases over 24 hours) according to government data it surpassed the world’s previous highest single-day rise in cases held by the United
States and India also reported 2104 deaths might be more. Every hospital whether government or private in Mumbai, Delhi is running out of beds and ventilators as the number of beds/ventilators has already exceeded. The situation in Delhi, Mumbai, and other Indian states is worse than anything it is painful, pathetic to say how not it is disturbing to mental health, and heart-wrenching to see people carrying their loved ones on the beds of death. Does the question arise who is responsible? People’s behavior is the major factor. State and local government as well as it differs from person to person in their response to the pandemic. Some follow the SOP guidelines while some don’t even give it a thought towards precaution from this dreadful virus. After the ministry of home affairs lifted the lockdown in India ending September 2020 people thought corona ended, it’s over it did not harm much as it was dreadful in its first wave also, but hardly did paper care about it. People went to large gatherings without following any damn SOP, gatherings like “Kumb ka Mela” where people gathered in hundreds and thousands whose effect is so apparent now, may the Lord have His mercy. How did it happen, only because the government was failing, on-ground administration was not active? Such gatherings were allowed, why? If this won’t have been allowed I am sure the situation won’t have been so worse as it is. Why am I discussing the capital of India and Mumbai is because we the people of Kashmir should think that the capital of India that is forward in health care than Kashmir is going through worst times, what will happen if God forbid the situations turns the same for Kashmir. There are only 208 ventilators both in public and private health care institutions in J&K to meet this challenge out of which Kashmir has a total number of only 112 ventilators including 21 in a private hospital and a record 2381 people tested positive for corona in J&K with 21 fatalities. We know the administration failed here in Kashmir also as public places were left open here also for locals as well tourists from all over India despite knowing the fact that Delhi, Mumbai is at spike with new COVID-19 cases. More of the fun fact is that schools were shut off but the closure of public places was primarily lacked so far. Even now as we can see that there is no proper lockdown, people are still non-serious towards the major precautions to be taken. The situation in Kashmir is not so alarming yet, what can save us from this second wave is self-protection. So let’s take the pledge to stay in, to stay safe, and to not move out unless it’s urgent and necessary. Let us follow proper SOP guidelines for ourselves and our loved ones. If we can do it I am sure that day of normalcy (mask off) won’t be far. So take good care and mask up.
Rightly said by shar- Mashriq Allama Iqbal (R.A) ,
“Na Ho Tabi’at Hi Jin Ki Kabil Wo Tarbiyat Se Nahi Sanwartey, Hua Na Sar Sabz Reh Ke Pani Mein Akas Sarve Kinaare Juka.”
Gowhar Rashid is a PhD Researcher, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences.
