Covid-19: renewed concerns

A link between the spread of Covid-19 and winter remains largely unanswered by medical science though, there are growing concerns that the reigning coronavirus, like all other viruses, will peak as it gets colder. In what provides anecdotal evidence to this perception, the coronavirus numbers have started spiking in parts of the world, especially in the western countries, with the advent of winter there. New York, Paris, Tehran and several other cities have been put back under restrictions. In Pakistan too, there have been widespread apprehensions of a second wave of the microbe striking the public as the winter season sets in. In Azad Jammu and Kashmir — located in the north of the country where it is already pretty cold — the government of Raja Farooq Haider has decided to re-impose lockdown measures in a bid to keep the deadly contagion in check. According to PM Haider, corona-positive cases in the autonomous Himalayan territory have surged to 8.3% to those tested, which is higher than in any part of the country.

Prime Minister Imran Khan — who has been averse to the idea of a full-fledged lockdown in the country since the very beginning so that the wheel of the economy keeps moving and those belonging to vulnerable social classes are deprived of their daily wages — has also shared his fears about a winter-related coronavirus spike in the country, urging “everyone to wear face masks in public”. The PM’s concern comes as the number of active coronavirus cases in the country has witnessed a continuous rise over the last three weeks or so — from 5,673 on September 13 to 7,070 on September 23 and 8,884 on October 3. This rise in the cases coincides with the reopening of educational institutions and marriage halls across the country — in what nearly completes the withdrawal of the coronavirus curbs that had been imposed on March 23 in line with the decision of the National Command and Control Centre which has representation from all provinces and regions of the country as well as relevant institutions and stakeholders.

But returning to a near-normal work routine without adhering to the prescribed SOPs has started causing consequences. Complacency — both on the part of the public and the authorities — has crept in. According to media reports quoting health authorities, 80% of the people have stopped following the SOPs; about 75% have not been wearing face masks while 85% have not been using hand sanitiser and keeping physical distance. Besides, businesses — including restaurants, shopping malls, barber shops and beauty parlours — are running without any safety measures in place. The most flagrant violation can be witnessed in the public transport — even in school vans. While consequently, there has been a spike in the infection all across the country, Karachi has been kind of leading. Virus hotspots have emerged in nearly all the districts of the city; and many areas, including those in the upscale Clifton neighbourhood, have been put under micro-smart lockdown in a swift counter-action. Besides, dozens of schools, restaurants and marriage halls have also been sealed for violating the SOPs.

The Corona Experts Advisory Group, which had been formed soon after the coronavirus crossed into Pakistan, has warned of a second wave of the scary virus if SOPs continue to be violated. Quoting PM Imran, “Compared to some other states, Allah has been kind to us in Pakistan and spared us worst effects of Covid-19.” Now to prevent the virus from rearing its ugly head again, people need not be complacent. The authorities too need to ensure that they adopt all safety protocols.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2020.

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