- The Covid-19 pandemic has devasted our lives on several fronts over the last two and a half years often inducing us to think how providential those are, who could escape with minimalist damages. Very few could lay claim to being completely unaffected by the vagaries of the dreaded virus that simply played havoc with humanity producing nothing but devastation and hardships. The countries are struggling even now to revert to normalcy speaks volumes about the cascading effects of the pandemic-induced economic disruptions derailing our daily lives. Need to appreciate the medical and scientific communities for rendering yeomen services selflessly during the most challenging period. Yes, the introduction of vaccination was a definite game-changer.
PC: Prakash Nagarkatti and Mitzi Nagarkatti
- Now that the global community is slowly but steadily reverting to the pre-pandemic times, the potential challenges emanating from the currently low-lying Coronavirus cannot be ruled out. The only way to keep ourselves safe from the debilitating effects of the virus is to diligently undergo the vaccination process, as applicable. The Union Health Ministry recently released a statement indicating that there are still three thousand odd Covid cases reported daily, mostly from Kerala. Remember, exactly a year ago the number was around 24 thousand every day. Let us also remember what happened in the middle. Like the rest of the world, India was taken unawares by Omicron, which went on to peak at 3.47 lakh new cases on 21st January 2022.
- With the festive season on us, we are getting into a joyful stride after two years of mounting misery and forlorn existence. Inarguably, our spirits, as well as our economy, need these celebrations after two years of going without one. However, can anybody question us from celebrating smartly? None, I guess. As the Centre’s 75-day window for free precaution doses for those aged between 18-59 years closed on Friday, less than 20% of eligible persons had been boosted. This is bad. Public messaging about the program never really picked up, with many Indians unclear why they need another vaccine shot for a disease that has waned all around them. Now, this is a wrong approach that should be corrected forthwith.
PC: Meredith Cohn
- At around 25% of the population, India also has the world’s highest number of unvaccinated persons. When the WHO DG said that the end of the pandemic is in sight, he also emphasized that now is the time to make sure we cross the line and reap the rewards of all our hard work. It is this message – that updated vaccinations will be the crucial protection against any future waves of infections, whether caused by some subvariant of Omicron or a new variant of concern – that just hasn’t gotten through. Luckily, the Omicron variant could be the last overall. But a country that makes its own vaccines should also make its own luck. As such, let us indulge in revelry, but only after receiving our due booster doses. Let’s not be casual in our approach yet.
