A new way-out
Covid-19 is showing no signs of retrieving. That is the reality for now. The world is still grappling with the deadly pandemic and no solution, both in terms of any cure or a vaccine has been found that could have brought some cheers for the people across the globe.
Interestingly, some countries have claimed to achieve a breakthrough by announcing to have found a vaccine to control the pandemic, but the harsh reality is that the threat is still far from over.
The vaccine trials are yet in final stages and it make take another year for these countries and some pharmaceutical giants to come out with an on shelf vaccine. Till then the people’s worries and the threat posed by the virus will continue to haunt us and continue to make our lives miserable.
What is making things more complicated for the people is the alarm generated by various health bodies including the World Health organizations (WHO). The WHO in its latest stance has announced that a vaccine against Covid-19 would be a vital tool in containing the spread of Covid-19 disease but it would not end the pandemic on its own.
The latest assertion by WHO is enough indication for us that we need to change our lives that too drastically and learn to live with the virus and survive the onslaught. Survival here means not only surviving physically, but also ensuring that our livelihoods are also saved so that we can continue to live and fight the pandemic.
We do not need to choose between lives and livelihoods, or between health and the economy. That’s a false choice. On the contrary, the pandemic is a reminder that health and economy are inseparable.
Therefore, the need is to learn to control and manage this virus using the tools we have now, and to make the adjustments to our daily lives that are needed to keep ourselves and each other safe.
The administration in developing regions may resort to lockdowns enabling them to suppress the transmission and take the pressure off the health systems right now. But lockdowns are not a long-term solution for any country and our thrust has to shift on paying more attention on individual and societal health.
This simply means stressing on maintaining a higher level of hygiene and cleanliness and stressing on improving the immunity among family members, especially the children and the elderly.
Besides, we also need to move into a new stage of opening economies, societies, schools and businesses safely. To do that, every single person must be involved, every single person can make a difference. Every person, family, community, and nation must make their own decisions, based on the level of risk where they live.
However, a common thread that needs to be followed is to maintain the sops and measures with precision so that the transmission is stopped and people learn to manege Covid-19 rather than feel scared from it.
KV Network
