Covid-19 prison cases

Letter July 12, 2020
People are now all too aware of the Covid-19 virus and how it spreads, and countries all over the world have taken serious precautionary measures to curb the spread.

KARACHI:

People are now all too aware of the Covid-19 virus and how it spreads, and countries all over the world have taken serious precautionary measures to curb the spread. Pakistan however has taken the slow and steady route, as officials after many months finally resorted to the idea of a ‘smart lockdown’ amid rising cases.

Unfortunately, a recent spike in Covid-19 cases in prisons across Sindh was reported, which has come about after departments decided to remove the ban on family visitors. The tally has now reached 1,363 and is expected to increase significantly. Owing to the deplorable condition of prisons across the province, prisoners remain highly vulnerable of not only getting infected but also of developing complications therewith.

It is important that we consider these prisoners a part of our system and our society regardless of the fact that they are locked away. As people await the formulation of a vaccine that will finally bring an end to their suffering and rid them of this deadly pandemic, it seems that officials in Pakistan will never learn.Published in The Express Tribune, July 13th, 2020.

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