WHAT GENERAL PUBLIC TO DO TO PREVENT: CHAOS AND CONFUSION
Col. Manoj Pal
New Delhi (India), Friday, December 23, 2022: The ghost of COVID 19 with a new name and variant of Omicron BF.7 is out on prey. There are reports that China is under the grip of this variant and there are approximately 4 million people got infected. As the unconfirmed report, there may be 5000 deaths per day and it may infect one million people everyday. Back in India, there is serious concern shown by the Government of India to take precautionary measures. Prime Minister Modi and his colleagues in the Parliament were seen wearing masks, evidently passes a simple & clear message to the public to be more careful and follow the COVID protocols and norms.
Is it really so serious? There are many questions raised on various platforms on the timing of declaring the new variant and the consequences of its spread across the globe. There was nothing till the end of football world cup FIFA 2022 wherein lacs of people were out at homes, restaurants, parks, gathering, stadiums and watched and witnessed, together the exciting world cup at the world arena. Back in India, there were elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujrat. Bharat Jodo Yatra by Rahul Gandhi. There were gathering all around in thousands and lacs. But there was no fear of the virus and suddenly, hue and cry is made to stop everything.
Leave the past, the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is in full swing in preparation of Magh Mela at the Sangam in Prayagraj where lacs of devotees are expected to take a dip in the holy Ganga everyday over a period of 15 days. There would be lot of activities which would become a cause of concern. The Congress’s and Rahul Gandhi is in no mood to postpone the Bharat Jodo Yatra despite of request by the government and states that the BJP is afraid of the success of the yatra and infection by virus is a lie.
To whom do we the public believe? While going through the headings on different pages of one renowned English newspaper, there is more chao and confusion but a clarity for the public to follow to prevent the spread of Omicron BF.7. First and the foremost, front page lead story says, “Modi reviews Covid situation, cautions against complacency” with small stories of CM Yogi to monitor changing situation and encouraging use of mask; Salman Khurshid’s statement of not stopping the Bharat Jodo Yatra. IIT Kanpur the premier institute which has made prediction about COVID situation and they proved true to their prediction, has this time made headlines “Don’t worry about BF.7 as strong natural immunity exists” and asked the people to be more vigilant and advised to follow COVID norms and protocols. On the other hand, preparation for Magh Mela at Sangam is in full swing.
Readers may remember and recollect that back in Jan 2020, the infection reached India through international travellers. Not much stricter norms have put in place by the Government to test all the international passengers for COVID infection. Only random sampling is being carried out which may turn into a nightmare. The Prime Minister Modi though cautioned people of India against complacency but do we really care? When the COVID was at peak and thousands of men, women and children were dying, people were talking about 5G and what not with utter disregard to the dangerous and worsening situation.
The chaos and confusion among the public need to be addressed and let not leave on the will and wish of people to adhere to the norms or not to. Ultimately the Government is blamed. So If the problem is serious and there is slight chance of getting worse, concrete steps to be taken and any activities which has the risk of spreading of infection, put to stop without discretion and discrimination. Public campaign be launched aggressively to inform and educate people in their interest to follow the COVID protocols and norms.
