We are passing through unusual times and we have no idea when the tide will pass. Of course, we need to keep the torch of hope alight, but that doesn’t mean we close our eyes to the impending disaster.
It is the considered opinion of all the medical experts of the world that in a country like India, with so huge a population, if precautionary measures are not strictly followed, this pandemic can wipe out people in hordes. In simple words, it means we are responsible collectively for saving the mankind in this part of the globe.
This can be done only, as the preceding weeks in China and other parts of the globe show, by maintaining physical distance form each other. It is for this reason that the government has announced a lockdown for an extended period.
This is time to follow social distancing in as strict a manner as possible. There is no scope for taking it casually. By not restricting ourselves to our homes we are risking not just our own life, but the life of our family members and others.
We need to remind ourselves, time and again, that this disease has no cure, and it is communicable. It is no easy thing as thousands have died, and in a very pathetic condition. For the government, it is important to go beyond announcements, and use its machinery to impose lockdown where it is not observed as it should be.
It is time that a strict compliance of lockdown is ensured, and people are not just asked to remain home, but wherever needed they are made to stay home. It is still observed that people have not fully internalised the gravity of the situation.
Apart form a media campaign government needs to employ other methods of reaching out to people. We can use mobile announcements to sensitise people.
In fact in collaboration with social organisations, the concerned departments could use public announcements, from all possible places asking people not to come out of their homes, unless it is extremely needed. At the same the government should take care of the people who are in need of food, and other essential items, by undertaking a door to door distribution of these commodities.