Ascovid19 cases continue to rise across the country, people fear if another hardlockdown will be announced by the Indian Government anytime soon. Talking aboutPunjab, the situation is no good here; it’s one of the five worst-hit states inthe country with maximum numbers of fatalities being reported.
Eventhe Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh has warned the citizens of Punjab that hewould be forced to take some harsh actions in order to handle the situation.
Thedisturbing figures: Punjab has a total population of about 2.8 Crores, thesamples taken by the state government till now are 61, 01,688 and the totalpatients tested positive since last year to till date are 2,54,152, while theactive cases in Punjab stands at 25,419 and the deaths reported are 7,155.
Thefive worst-hit districts of Punjab are SAS Nagar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsarand Hoshiarpur wherein on an average 350 to 380 cases are being reported on adaily basis.
Moreoveras the present restrictions of Punjab are about to end on April 10, lookingaround the situation, sources say either these restrictions will be extended ornew restrictions will be added like a weekend lockdown. Besides, PM Modi islikely to chair a high-level meeting with CMs of the country on April 8 toreview covid situation, so let’s see what will be Punjab CM’s next course ofaction to flatten the curve in the state.
Sowhat’s now? Are we ready to face another lockdown?
Tomy understanding none of us are ready for another lockdown. Besides, it is yetnot clear how the lockdown helped in the fall of the cases last year as thecases continued to rise until September and surprisingly when the governmentstarted easing the restrictions, the numbers actually came down.
Also,there are many people and businesses that are yet not back on the track and arereeling under debts as a result of the previous lockdown; therefore, thespectre of another lockdown is almost unthinkable for many of us.
Interestinglyif we compare today’s situation with April 2020, we’re definitely not at theedge. Though the country is reporting around 95,000 new covid cases, which isfrightening, however, we cannot deny the fact that we do have a vaccine now. Ifthe number of those vaccinated goes up, the situation can be brought undercontrol.
Anotherbig question: Is there no covid19 in four poll-bound states and UT?
Asassembly elections are going on in full swing in four states and a unionterritory, and how thousands of people are gathering in roadshows and publicrallies, with no covid protocols being followed, the claims of the governmentthen sound a bit illogical.
Theschools are closed in order to control the transmission, while the Kumbhfestival with thousands in attendance is in full swing in Haridwar. Well, theseare some of the reasons due to which many people question the existence ofCovid itself, despite the presence of the pandemic all around.
Theparents in Punjab citing above reasons are adamant over reopening of theschools despite such an alarming situation. Even some privateinstitutions have declared no matter what they will reopen the schools on April12.
Whatshould we do now?
Nomatter how much we question the existence of covid19 and the claims of thegovernment, we cannot deny the fact this pandemic has taken a heavy toll onmany people’s health and lives. Therefore, to avoid any future lockdown, wemust adhere to Covid appropriate behavior. Stay Safe please!