Precautions during festive season

What are the views of experts amid festive season?

1. Committee warning – A government-appointed committee of doctors and scientists warned of a rapid surge of 26 lakh Coronavirus cases within a month if people show laxity in following COVID-19 protocol during the upcoming festive season and winter days.

• Kerala festive example– The epidemic curve of Kerala changed completely due to Onam festivities, when there were huge congregations of people convened in large numbers didn’t take precautions.

2. States highlight recoveries over risk- States, anxious to present a picture of near-normality to boost economic activity, highlight recoveries over risk, which may lead the people to lower their guard.

• However, there are five States (Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal) and 3-4 Union Territories (UTs), where there is still a rising trend in daily cases.

What are the possible measures required to control the 2^nd wave of COVID-19?

1. Commercialized health system- The Centre should launch policy reform to transform a predominantly commercialized health system into one providing universal coverage.
2. Self-discipline – If precautions are not taken, the situation can go out of hand with sudden rise of Covid-19 cases. Besides, people need to be extra cautious during the festival season and practice social distancing.
3. Action against those found without masks at all public places.

Way forward-

• With loss of income and steep rise in health insurance premium, the cheapest protection against disease and financial loss is prevention.
• Government needs to make proper market arrangement for residents during the festival season and issue guidelines for social distancing and safety protocol.