opinion | There may be a third wave of Kovid due to heavy crowd in the markets
Today I want to start with a note of caution. Most of the major markets in India’s major cities have witnessed massive Diwali shoppers over the past week, raising fears of a third wave of the Covid pandemic.
Despite repeated announcements by the central and state governments, all standard guidelines for prevention of covid have been blown to the wind. Most of the shopkeepers thronging the markets are roaming without masks. People are becoming oblivious and under the misconception that there is no danger of another wave of the pandemic.
It is true that the fear of another wave of the pandemic is not there and the increase in the number of COVID cases has slowed down. It is also true that India’s success in exceeding the target of over one billion doses of COVID vaccines has been praised by the world. Nevertheless, it is also true that the virus has not disappeared, it continues to cause deaths in many parts of the world. The danger is still there.
During the last 24 hours, 12,514 new Covid cases were reported across India and the daily positivity rate is now 1.42 per cent. But the sight of thousands of Diwali buyers thronging the big markets of big cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Patna and Bhopal is scary. People are making the same mistake they did after the first wave of the pandemic. Result: The nation faced a deadly second wave of the pandemic in April and May, when millions were gasping for survival due to lack of oxygen. Cremation grounds were full and bodies of thousands of Covid victims were being cremated daily.
In our prime time show ‘Aaj Ki Baat’ on Monday night, we showed visuals of major markets of Delhi like Sadar Bazar, Chandni Chowk, Bhagirath Palace, Sarojini Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, Gandhi Nagar and Laxmi Nagar. There is no place to even stand in the midst of the crowd gathered at the shops, forget social distancing.
Our journalists spoke to shopkeepers and traders. A shopkeeper said that people have stopped fearing the pandemic after getting vaccinated. Most of the people who were not wearing masks, regardless of our journalists, said that now the fear is over and there is no need to wear masks. The fear that had gripped Delhiites in April and May is no more. Remember, there were neither beds nor oxygen in Delhi hospitals during May. People were fighting for their lives, waiting for oxygen, lying inside cars and ambulances. Had to wait 24 to 48 hours outside the cremation ground.
Similar crowds were witnessed in major markets of Mumbai and Ahmedabad, the cities that bore the brunt of the second wave of the pandemic in April and May. A huge crowd of shopkeepers gathered outside the shops in the Teen Darwaza market of Ahmedabad.
Our journalists spoke to doctors who said that if the third wave hits the cities, the load on the medical infrastructure will be enormous. Doctors said people should not live under the misconception that taking both doses of the vaccine is a panacea for them. To stop the epidemic, covid proper behavior is necessary. There was a huge crowd of Diwali shopkeepers in Patna’s Khaitan Bazar and Lucknow’s Bhootnath Bazar. In both these places, hundreds of shopkeepers were roaming without masks.
We should learn from what is happening in other countries. Russia is currently facing a big wave of the Kovid epidemic. More than 40,000 Covid cases are being reported daily. In Russia, more than 70 percent of the population has been vaccinated with a single dose, while 33 percent of the population has already received a double dose. In Russia, 1,131 Kovid patients have died during the last 24 hours. Russia did not face the huge crowds seen in India, and yet the virus spread rapidly. The lockdown has been imposed from 30 October to 7 November. Those above 60 years of age, who have not taken both doses, have been asked to stay indoors.
With Diwali shopping frenzied and home parties busy, there is good news for economists. The Indian economy, which saw a decline during the lockdown period, is now booming. This should be good news for all of us, but we should also take care to prevent the fresh wave of the pandemic.
With the number of cases declining, cinemas, shopping malls, schools and colleges have reopened, but caution is the need of the hour. I understand that after almost two years of continuous wearing of masks and staying indoors, people were feeling tired. They want to roam in the open, but they should avoid crowds, and follow the Covid guidelines diligently. No one should be under the misconception that taking both doses of the vaccine will prevent the virus from entering the body.
Medical experts have pointed out that the fall in the number of cases is mainly due to strict implementation of the Covid guidelines. Most people have developed antibodies, but the virus has not gone away. It is still hidden. No one wants a Russian-like situation developing here in India. At least people must wear masks when they step out of their homes. They should not carry the mask in their pocket or leave them hanging on their chin. The nose and mouth should be covered with the mask.
Remember, this is the last phase of the pandemic. If we follow all the guidelines, we will win this battle. Since Diwali is a festival of lights and joy, everyone should celebrate it, but they should do it carefully. Buying new utensils or other items is a customary ritual during Dhanteras. They are free to follow it, but they must exercise caution when they find a crowd in front of them. Do not bring coronavirus to your home, otherwise your loved ones may get infected. There is no medicine to prevent coronavirus, and the vaccine gives you protection. Don’t live under the misconception that people who have been vaccinated will never be infected with the virus.
Aaj Ki Baat: Monday to Friday, 9 PM
India’s number one and most followed super prime time news show ‘Aaj Ki Baat – Rajat Sharma Ke Saath’ was launched just before the 2014 general elections. Since its inception, the show has been redefining India’s super-prime time and is numerically far ahead of its contemporaries.
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