In the history of humankind, no virus has spread as fast and as far as the novel coronavirus. The prime reason is underlined in the fact China is at the centre of world trade and economy and its biggest trading partner are at least 120 countries besides other regions.
Ever since its outbreak, the cases of coronavirus and deaths caused by it are accelerating. World over, there are over 13,60,000 confirmed cases and nearly 77000 deaths reported as on April 7.
In Jammu and Kashmir, 125 people tested positive for the dreaded disease and three persons have died of the pathogen.
Amid the pandemic of unprecedented proportions, the absence of basic measures required to combat the disease can only worsen the situation.
The outbreak has meant that society has to redefine the fundamental principles which have governed it. The government introduced travel restrictions and social distancing measures in a bid to keep the disease restricted to those with travel history and their immediate contacts.
Lately, there has been a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases and even though authorities have not declared it, the Stage 3, which means that a person with no travel history to an affected country or direct contact with a confirmed case tests positive for COVID-19, is not distant.
Lately, the health authorities have also admitted that the “localized community transmission” has been seen in some pockets and we are in between Stage 2 and Stage 3.
In other words, it is an indication that the undiagnosed and likely asymptomatic carriers are spreading it, and makes breaking the chain of transmission increasingly tough.
This also means need to be ready and not to induce panic. Being informed means being prepared for what lies ahead. Stage 3 will require people to exercise a greater degree of responsibility. They have to ensure social distancing; they have to ensure social solidarity and care for the more vulnerable sections. Employers will need to be even more sensitive towards their staff, more particularly working at lower levels and having meagre resources or savings. Patients will need empathy, not stigmatization which unfortunately has been the increasing trend recently.
The WHO has issued guidelines specifying that one of the ways to reduce the risk of infection is by regularly and thoroughly cleaning one’s hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or washing them with soap and water. Regular washing becomes important as the virus tends to be viable from hours to more than a day on different surfaces that are regularly touched with hands.
Panic is detrimental
