While it is good that measures done to contain the pathogen spread have paid off the desired results so far, equally important is to ensure there is no lowering of the guard. Also no such activity should be allowed that allows any room for the virus to stage any comeback as strong as observed in the second wave.
The first wave which peaked last year was blamed on extraneous factors. The authorities have admitted that the complacency to covid-19 behavior was to be blamed for the second wave which is only ebbing and not over by stretch of imagination.
The government should continue and that too vigorously with all the measures which have helped to bring the covid-19 numbers down. There is no room for complacency. Wait and watch policy could prove detrimental as in the past which a place like J&K can hardly afford to bear. There is need for continuing with tests, tracking and isolating infected persons alongside with due adherence to caution which remains pivotal to save lives and livelihood.
The administration’s message to not be complacent and continue to adhere to mask use is in the right scientific spirit and must continue to be listened and adhered to.
In anticipation of the 3rd Wave, the Lieutenant Governor has rightly underlined the need to remain prepared to deal with any future health challenges.
He has also stressed and rightly too that there is a need to counter vaccination hesitancy and educate people. Divisional Commissioners, IGPs, DCs, Health functionaries need to put extra effort with low vaccination rate.
By vaccinating the targeted population at the earliest, the administration will be able to save precious lives from any future threat. As such the pace of vaccination must be accelerated to ensure that the third wave is not a repeat of the second one. Considering the risk of breakthrough infection, the importance of following Covid-appropriate behaviour even after vaccination cannot be overemphasised.
