While its nice to propose this strategy, but author forgot that any incident during this period takes about 15 days to show its effect. Like Markaz event ended on 16 March and showed its effect 1 April on wards, similarly the mass exodus of laborers will show its effect by April 15 to states that yet seem to be less affected. Its is not easy to lock down again after reopening. Its better to get rid of this altogether, May be North East can be opened but rest would be risky adventure.
The article cogently presents persuasive data analysis. The data indicates that there is no need to continue country wide lock down. However, one can look at the issue from another point of view and reach the similar conclusion.
It is a fact that there is no medicine or vaccine available today for Covid-19; all that can be done is preventive to avoid getting infected with it -like follow self quarantine or self distancing from others so that virus runs its course without getting a host body and dies eventually. The instruments for protections are just using masks, gloves and following cleanliness practices. Suppose we assume that the entire country is infected (whether tested or not) and ask everyone to strictly use mask, gloves and follow cleaning practices, we can effectively contain spread of virus, with or without people mixing up together. Even today, we have so many people out like policemen, service delivery boys, workers and staff in essential services and of course, media people who just use mask, gloves etc and do their work and yet, no one is known to be affected by corona! This means that virus can be controlled by strictly enforcing use of mask, gloves etc and allowing people to move about with some restriction, rather than locking down everything. By now, the entire country has awakened to the dangers of the virus and the need to protect oneself from it by using simple techniques. Of course, we need to protect old, vulnerable and younger population from it and they must be barred from coming out. Going by this common sense approach, there is a strong case for partial lifting of lock down with certain conditions and allow normal economic activities to resume. In cities, there could be restrictions like each office should not allow more than 50% of its staff to attend office on any given day, those who can work online, must be allowed to work online etc etc. Impose fine of say, 10,000 rupees per violation of mask usage etc. Overall, a common sense, pragmatic and forward looking solution is required rather than just dumb thinking like ‘testing testing and testing’ or indiscriminate use of hand sanitizer!
While its nice to propose this strategy, but author forgot that any incident during this period takes about 15 days to show its effect. Like Markaz event ended on 16 March and showed its effect 1 April on wards, similarly the mass exodus of laborers will show its effect by April 15 to states that yet seem to be less affected. Its is not easy to lock down again after reopening. Its better to get rid of this altogether, May be North East can be opened but rest would be risky adventure.
The article cogently presents persuasive data analysis. The data indicates that there is no need to continue country wide lock down. However, one can look at the issue from another point of view and reach the similar conclusion.
It is a fact that there is no medicine or vaccine available today for Covid-19; all that can be done is preventive to avoid getting infected with it -like follow self quarantine or self distancing from others so that virus runs its course without getting a host body and dies eventually. The instruments for protections are just using masks, gloves and following cleanliness practices. Suppose we assume that the entire country is infected (whether tested or not) and ask everyone to strictly use mask, gloves and follow cleaning practices, we can effectively contain spread of virus, with or without people mixing up together. Even today, we have so many people out like policemen, service delivery boys, workers and staff in essential services and of course, media people who just use mask, gloves etc and do their work and yet, no one is known to be affected by corona! This means that virus can be controlled by strictly enforcing use of mask, gloves etc and allowing people to move about with some restriction, rather than locking down everything. By now, the entire country has awakened to the dangers of the virus and the need to protect oneself from it by using simple techniques. Of course, we need to protect old, vulnerable and younger population from it and they must be barred from coming out. Going by this common sense approach, there is a strong case for partial lifting of lock down with certain conditions and allow normal economic activities to resume. In cities, there could be restrictions like each office should not allow more than 50% of its staff to attend office on any given day, those who can work online, must be allowed to work online etc etc. Impose fine of say, 10,000 rupees per violation of mask usage etc. Overall, a common sense, pragmatic and forward looking solution is required rather than just dumb thinking like ‘testing testing and testing’ or indiscriminate use of hand sanitizer!