- The country is into six months since the pandemic was notified and the fight to tackle the virulent virus has undergone sea-change from the initial days. Back then, not much was known nor did a template exist for many countries to formulate effective measures to combat the menace. As we are aware, except knowing the fact that the virus originated from a province in China, nothing much was forthcoming from the communist nation. Initial apprehensions riding on the fear factor completely paralyzed the world community no end.
PC: pharmaceutical
- As one nation after another started resorting to lockdown as a measure to stop the extremely infectious virus from spreading far and wide, the accompanying hardships and disastrous consequences have rendered many countries on the brink of economic meltdown. Our nation too followed suit by imposing abrupt lockdown that was extended a few times primarily aimed at strengthening the healthcare infrastructure considered inadequate and fearing unmanageable catastrophe simple because of the density of population.
- Much to its credit, the Central and State Governments have responded responsibly and ensured people seeking medical attention are not deprived of quality treatment. Essential products that were in short supply vis-à-vis PPEs, masks and sanitizers are abundantly available now. Provisioning of beds fitted with oxygen, ICUs, ventilators, and ambulances to ferry patients was made available on war footing though reports of not meeting the desired demand kept making headlines from various regions intermittently.
PC: NBC News
- Few states that saw an alarming spike in the interim months have been largely successful but many other States are still battling out as the trajectory of the virus surge is highly unpredictable and hence, continues to pose challenges even after all these months. Amidst all this, reports are suggesting few States letting down guard when the situation demanded to exercise more caution throwing the safety aspects to the wind allowing the virus to establish more firmly. Only known mantra so far to combat the menace is observing social distancing norms, wearing of masks, and hand-washing.
- Ramping up testing to trace, track, and treat has picked up speed what with the daily testing set to breach one million per day in the coming week. However, reports of non-availability of oxygenated beds and only known drug that helps in subduing the virus considerably, Remdesivir, is running short. Authorities concerned are to leave no stone unturned in ensuring the life-saving drug is available in acceptable quantities to not only save lives but also provide reassuring optics to people’s confidence at such a critical stage for the nation’s well-being.
PC: outlook India
- As the situation stands, the nation is reaching the decisive stage in our fight against menace and as such, it is incumbent on the part of authorities as well as people to join hands to eradicate at the earliest. Longer it takes to subdue the virus, more prolonged our wait will be to return to normalcy. Keeping fingers crossed and with prayers on the lips!
