These are unpredictable times; the nation has been put through a difficult grind on Sunday, faced as it is with the gargantuan task of checking the spread of the Covid-19 virus. While some 300 people across the nation have been confirmed Covid19 positive in India, what’s more significant is that the number is steadily climbing up with a new frenzy after a hesitant initiation here – as is typical of this infection worldwide. This is time for one and all to take every care and precaution so as to keep the virus at bay.
The nation is slowly getting into a shutdown mode. Train services will remain suspended for an indefinite period, and so are the inter-state bus and metro train services across the country. Offices have been closed in Mumbai and some other cities, and others might follow suit. A day’s Janata Curfew which required of people to stay indoors for the entire day by itself will not mean much, considering the gravity of the situation. But the message that this has spread out is loud and clear: avoid public appearances as far as possible in the coming days.
With a partial shut-down in effect, how the national economy will absorb the shock is anybody’s guess. Prolonged shut-downs, a possibility of course, will affect public life in unpredictable ways. These are uncertain times, and we as a society can only grin and bear with this season of difficulties. A war-like situation is at hand, and the nation needs to stand as one and face it.
The central plan is to shut down some 75 affected districts; a hint also being that a similar shut-down could extend to other districts where cases of Covid infections could surface sooner than later.
People have complied with the PM’s call to observe the Janata Curfew. Now, it’s up to the government to see and ensure that people are not put to hardship in the weeks ahead. With borders likely to be closed and transportation services hit, the normal way forward for markets is to indulge in hoarding and black-marketeering. Scarcity of essentials must be averted and their distribution ensured. At the same time, hospitals must be equipped with necessary medicines to deal with the emerging situation. Italy scares us; but, China gives us hope that governmental efforts can help avert a huge health crisis and turn the clock of Covid’s lethal progress back.