Coronavirus or Covid-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It is a viral disease that turned into a pandemic in early 2020. The first known case was recorded in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Coronavirus has multiple variants such as Delta and Omicron, and its most common symptoms are fever, chills and sore throat.
Rapid testing should be free whose price is Rs400 and the other testing should be paid by patients whose price is Rs4500
This is yet another overreach by judges, who have neither the expertise nor the authority to issue these nationwide ‘fatwas’. Consider that a single lawyer filed a PIL and a couple of sympathetic judges then pass a nationwide order – bypassing the people and the experts. This is yet another example of judges issuing rulings designed to make them look good without any understanding of the implications. In its simplest form, it will reduce the availability of testing as labs will stop doing the tests. A more reasoned policy can only come from a decision that creates a public-private partnership through appropriate legislation (or ordinance if it is urgent). We have a long history of courts damaging life of millions by judgments that are cheered by a tiny elite section of the society.
Paraye ghar se Brahmin bithana, charity at someone else’s expense. For reasons that remain unclear, India seems most reluctant to test. When private institutions are available and when the process itself is becoming so much faster, that should change. These are tough times for the economy. Private hospitals are suffering because a lot of normal work / surgeries are on hold. There is Zero justification for compelling any of them to test for free. The only compulsion one would support – although it should not become necessary at such a time – is official pressure to ensure there is no gouging. 2. The government has a duty to the people at such a time. God knows it is raising enough money by way of taxes and borrowing all that households save. It is one thing for private individuals and institutions to support those who are in need by arranging food, dry rations, etc. However, large monetary donations to the government itself does not get my vote. The amounts are not transformative, but they send out a signal of fiscal distress.