Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, June 11: As the markets have started opening up in Kashmir and semblance of normalcy is returning nearly after 3-months of lockdown, people and the experts have kept their fingers crossed.
The authorities had imposed a complete lockdown in Kashmir soon after the first COVID-19 case was detected in Srinagar’s old city in the month of March. Since then Jammu and Kashmir has reported more than 4500 positive cases and more than 50 people have died due to this deadly virus. Many people have recovered also.
An expert while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “The lockdown period provided medicos and scientists with a chance to study the virus. The very important factor which has come to fore is that the mortality rate is no that high and if people take the precautions this virus can be kept at bay. Maintaining social distance, using masks and sanitizers is mandatory in the fight against the COVID-19.”
An analyst said that markets and transport opening up means that people will start moving and it means that virus will also move. “We have entered into such a stage where we will have to take more precautions now. During the lockdown no one was moving but now situation will be different. Hand hygiene and wearing masks and avoiding unnecessary travel are important tips. People need to bear in mind that they cannot mingle around till a vaccine appears in the market.”
He said, “We have to bear in mind that only lockdown has been lifted the COVID-19 has not gone. The virus is very much there and we will have to learn to live with it. Authorities have played their role, now it’s upto the people how they will respond to the situation.”
An observer said that decision to revive the economy has been taken in principle. “Now, how it will be implemented remains to be seen. A few positive developments about clinical trials of anti-COVID drugs and the vaccines being in final stages have made everyone optimistic about solution being found very soon,” he added.
“Almost everyone is of the opinion that life is not going to be same now. The world has changed. Now it remains to be seen that how fast will people adapt to the change. We are into the last phase of lockdown and the COVID-19 curve has not flattened yet.”
it may be recalled that recently Union Health Ministry claimed that recovery rate has risen tremendously. It said the number of infected persons is equal to the number of patients who have recovered. “So, things are looking up and gloom gradually seems to be disappearing,” the observer added.
COVID-19: People keep fingers crossed as markets open, traffic resumes
