They don’t seem to isolate themselves.
ISLAMABAD: Governments around the world are taking measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 by encouraging the idea of social distancing. Social distancing is a form of public restriction that helps to stop the spread of the infectious disease. It includes restricting social interactions by not going to work, school and other events with a view to preventing the rapid transmission so that the size of the outbreak is reduced. Just like other countries around the world Pakistan is also in the grip of this global epidemic. The tally of COVID-19 cases in the country reached 495 yesterday. Now 176 countries have been affected by the novel coronavirus and it is spreading rapidly within and across countries. People in Pakistan are not taking this epidemic serious. Citizens still have a casual attitude and are not avoiding public gatherings, limiting unnecessary social gatherings and working from home. They don’t seem to isolate themselves.
We all have faith that life and death is in God’s hands but what we actually have to do is fight this pandemic even if it means isolating yourself in your house for a couple of weeks.
Maybe, the solution is a country-wide lockdown. But Pakistan has limited resources, a weak economy and many people are earning their bread through daily wages. Therefore, we cannot afford it. Yes, we have to draw a line but, in these circumstances, locking down the whole country will not be an effective solution.
The government is taking precautionary measures and creating awareness among the public through the media but as a society we have to play a significant role to help minimise the pressure on the government. We should practise social distancing which means limiting interaction with people and avoiding unnecessary outings. We need to develop this psyche that it’s a serious issue, otherwise it could become a major crisis like in Iran and Italy.
Sanam Mushatq
Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2020.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
