The public role

Nonchalance is one thing. Disdain another. The way our public burst out of their homes for Eid shopping in the wake of the relaxation in the coronavirus lockdown speaks more of their contempt for the SOPs prescribed by the government and experts than their ignorance about the same. Jam-packed roads, cramped vehicles and overcrowded marketplaces — though not an unusual sight in urban centres during normal circumstances — aptly exemplify a public that cares a damn about a virus that has brought virtually the whole world to a halt. Even toddlers were seen accompanying their parents in shopping centres. Such is the height of however we interpret this behaviour.

No wonder the authorities fear a spike in the cases of the deadly infection — already nearing 60,000 with more than 1,200 deaths — and mull toughening the lockdown. A warning from Dr Zafar Mirza, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health, makes it loud and clear that “if this trend [of disregarding the government instructions and violating the SOPs] continues, we may impose strict lockdowns after Eid”. During a press conference in Islamabad on the second day of Eid, Mirza minced no words in stating that if precautionary measures were not followed, “this crisis could turn into a complete tragedy”.

That an anti-virus is still a long way to go and social distancing is the only remedy to avoid the lethal virus is by now a well-known fact. The public is being constantly reminded through media campaigns that the spread of the virus could only be halted by avoiding unnecessary outings, keeping clean, wearing face masks, maintaining a safe distance from others, and adopting other precautionary measures. It’s simply indigestible that these words of advice and these notes of caution have not reached the general public, at least in big towns and cities of the country in which the violations of safety protocols were rather more pronounced.

While the government cannot afford to go for a curfew-like lockdown in the country in view of the prevailing economic situation, the public will have to realise that they have a big role to play in this fight against the coronavirus. Cooperation is just what is expected of the people.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2020.

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