Fat weddings, social gatherings provide new lease of life to virus in summer capital
By: Afaq Bhat
Srinagar: Delhi Government has decided to allow fairs, exhibitions and reopen schools from ninth class onwards as the COVID-19 cases are on decline in the national capital, but in J&K’s summer capital i.e. Srinagar new cases are on rise and authorities are gearing up to contain the virus by identifying containment zones and taking other preventive measures.
An observer while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Delhi despite facing the raging pandemic for nearly two years has succeeded in containing the virus as the people cooperated with the authorities. They are still following the COVID Appropriate Behavior (CAB) in letter and spirit. Delhi is one of the most densely populated areas in the country and it was not that easy to control the COVID-19 there.”
He said, “People of Kashmir, especially Srinagar, need to learn something from the Delhities, who despite facing all the odds, succeeded in bringing down the Covid cases.”
It’s in place to mention here that during the past few days there has been a surge in Covid cases across Srinagar and the district is contributing at least 40 to 50% cases recorded across Jammu and Kashmir.
Medicos and others have attributed the rise in cases to the ongoing wedding season in the summer capital and large number of people attending the marriage ceremonies. “If we have to contain the virus we will have to shorten our guest lists, otherwise a third wave can break out any time and we will be caught napping,” said a medico.
He said that life has returned to normal in many countries across the world and in India but Kashmir is still facing the threat of COVID-19 third wave. “People across the world have not shied away from getting vaccinated. In most of the states, people have overcome vaccine hesitancy and, and are the verge of attaining herd immunity. It’s unfortunate some people in J&K are still hesitant to get vaccinated. They have to overcome this hesitancy. If we want the pestilence to get over, we have to keep on following the COVID-19 sops and get ourselves vaccinated without any further delay.”
According to the recent Sero surveys conducted in Jammu and Kashmir nearly 86% people across the Union Territory have been exposed to COVID-19 during the past two years and the situation can improve if people remain patient for some more time.
Schools from 9th class onwards have opened in New Delhi, educational institutions in J&K can also reopen, if people don’t repeat the mistakes they have committed in the past. Fat weddings and huge get-togethers can wait for a few more months, especially in Srinagar, where authorities have started sealing the areas where cases are on rise.
