ISLAMABAD:
It is because the government and other political parties started exhibiting a lax attitude toward observing precautionary measures that Pakistan is still under the grip of the fourth wave. The government keeps telling people through mass media campaigns that unless everyone gets vaccinated, precautionary measures such as social distancing and strict personal hygiene are the only way to keep the virus in check. Yes, this is true, but our leaders who are supposed to be role models for their followers forget to follow SOPs themselves.
They are seen appearing in the public without wearing masks and are often seen shaking hands and hugging people. They are also not willing to hold back on their public rallies and meetings. Little do they realise that people mimic their leaders. Plato once said that “people do what the (state) leaders do”. This is the reason that campaigns against corruption and dishonesty fail. When people see their leaders indulge in corrupt practices, they follow in the same footsteps. Unless our leaders shun their hypocritical behaviour, we are unlikely to see a nationwide change where people seriously follow what the government is telling them. This is utterly important in the case of SOPs as it literally is a matter of life and death.
I hope our leaders are clever enough to realise the gravity of the situation and act in accordance to help mitigate the spread of the virus. Holding off on public events may not do too much damage to their political careers but it will sure save precious lives.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2021.
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