Outreach, preparations hold the key
As two suspected coronavirus patients are undergoing treatment at a hospital in Jammu the administration has acted wisely by announcing closure of all primary schools in Jammu and Samba districts till March 31and immediate suspension of all biometric attendance in the Union territory.
The two patients with a travel history to coronavirus-hit Italy and South Korea had fled the hospital’s isolation ward on Wednesday shortly after their admission, but were brought back within hours. Their samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune and both have proven high viral load cases.
The skipping of the quarantine process by the suspect cases of the COVID-19 virus has brought to the fore the lack of people’s will to fully cooperate in cases wherever it seems necessary. Therefore, the administration has a much significant role to play than what it has comprehended.
Though all primary schools in Jammu and Samba districts will be closed till March 31 with immediate effect and biometric attendance in offices has been put on hold, the task is much bigger to comprehend.
The government needs to step up its outreach on awareness about the deadly virus as very little perception seems to be forthcoming from the quarters where it matters the most. So far close to some 230 people in the UT have been identified who had contacts with people from such countries where the virus has taken a toll.
This figure may seem to be small but the way the virus can spread makes us to think otherwise. The countries to which the virus has already spread contain more than half the global population. Chine, rich in resources came down heavily on the virus and the authorities completed two hospitals in few days time to deal with the threat.
Once the virus reaches the underdeveloped regions ours, the task to control it can prove to be much difficult owing to the weak health systems we have. Even for getting a blood sample tested for the virus it has to be sent to Delhi or Pune to certify it turning out to be negative or positive.
Recognizing this risk, World Health Organization has requested $675 million to prepare weak health systems to cope with COVID-19 between now and April. Yet, as of the end of February, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was the only organization that had responded to the call, offering a $100 million donation.
Viruses do not respect national borders. And when a virus spreads to communities without the ability to contain it, even those with the capacity can quickly become overwhelmed. Simply put, no one is safe until everyone is. Viruses move faster than governments or those fundraisers who wish to help.
Our best chance at minimizing the risks from outbreaks is that we need to be alert at all times and act responsive to the needs as and when they develop. Today the need rose to suspend primary level education in Jammu and Samba districts. Tomorrow the same may have to be repeated in Kashmir region as well.
The admin should act according to the need and not fix their gaze on the political outcomes of their decisions.
KV Network
