Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had stated that genome sequencing of the Covid19 virus in Meghalaya in the second wave confirms the presence of Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the state. Now termed as B.1.617, the double mutant variant refers to the merging of two mutations of a virus strain that go on to form a third, super infectious strain. In dealing with the Covid19 every day is a new day. Medical professionals and scientists believe that the recent surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in the second wave could be attributed to this Delta variant. They also attribute the rise in cases to the laxity shown at the start of the second wave, which in turn has led to the rise in number of Covid patients requiring hospitalisation and also the number of deaths.
While Meghalaya did not go through an oxygen crisis of the kind faced by Covid patients in other states of India, the death toll here has been worrying especially because younger people with no comorbidities have succumbed to the virus. What is equally of concern about Meghalaya is the low vaccination rate. Despite, multiple messaging and publication of statistics showing that those who skipped the vaccination actually succumbed to the virus, the response has been muted. This vaccine hesitancy will mean more people being exposed to the virus and being unable to fight it. Cases will rise and so too the death toll. This will further delay the unlocking. And that is the crisis point.
The Government needs to understand that people have arrived at a critical juncture where the word “Lockdown” is now the enemy. Because of it they have lost their jobs and are unsure where their next meal is coming from. Many are relying on charity which they find demeaning. Thefts are on the rise. Daily labourers say the only choice they have now is between Covid and Starvation. Things are precarious at the ground. Lives are hanging by a thread. The Dorbar Shnong have done their best out of their own resources and with help from civil society groups, to help the poorest in their localities. The Government is yet to coordinate with them in reaching out to the destitute. In case Government distributes free ration it will do so only to those that have ration cards. The reality is quite a good number don’t have ration cards. What happens to them? It’s time Government forms a committee of concerned citizens to brainstorm over the future course of action for Meghalaya. Here the role of the MLAs is integral because they are the link between the Government, the people and institutions.
