New Delhi: Several parts of India have been witnessing a spurt in coronavirus cases, especially Delhi. Experts say this is partly due to ‘lockdown fatigue‘ — an exhaustion people have been feeling towards the varying restrictions imposed across the country since March.
We asked our readers: Have people, governments let their guard down due to fatigue over Covid-19 restrictions and precautions?
Here is what some of them said:
‘Creating habit of safety routines may help us maintain them’
As crowds and traffic jams return with the easing of lockdown restrictions, experts warn that the worst is still ahead of us. Despite the relaxations, the ever increasing number of cases means we need to continue taking precautions and avoid caving in into the ‘lockdown fatigue’. Are we growing tired of wearing a mask and social distancing? As the pandemic continues with no end in sight, it can be difficult to maintain safe habits that feel somewhat confining … Over time, as we adjust to a threat and stress levels drop, it’s natural to let our guard down. It’s important to remember, though, that (even) if we take a break on safety measures, coronavirus doesn’t, it continues infecting people. Creating habits out of safety routines may help us maintain them without having to think about them … Finding a new mask, something that excites us, a new social distancing activity. Finding something novel and new is a way we excite our brains and it’s a way we can overcome fatigue. Wearing a mask, social distancing and good hand hygiene will be an important part of daily life until there’s an effective treatment or vaccine for Covid-19, and that could be awhile. These practices are still the best ways to protect loved ones from coronavirus.
Sandeep Wanchoo, Gurgaon. Twitter: @swanchoo
‘People were allowed to gather for election rallies, festivals’
The central government, right from the beginning, has been too careful with anti-Covid-19 measures and this, therefore, instilled a fear among the masses. One of the main reasons being, insufficient information about the transmission of virus. Nobody knows how long do these precautions have to be followed. As time passed, the people and the administration became complacent. People were allowed to gather in large numbers for election rallies and festivals, without ensuring strict precautions. Now, as the possibility of a vaccine seems more real than ever, there is an evident sense of relaxation among people and the governments, which could be a dangerous trend.
Aayush Sapre, Gwalior. Twitter: @kindafreaking
‘Fewer masked faces, physical distancing at an all time low’
The crowded campaign rallies during the Bihar elections, the throngs that gathered in the bazaars of Delhi during Diwali celebrations and the massive mask-less mob that assembled for Durga Puja in parts of West Bengal indicate without a shadow of doubt that we are too tired of Covid-19 precautions. As the lockdown eased, people began to lower their guard. Masked faces are fewer in number and physical distancing is at an all-time low. The results of this callousness can be seen in the rising number of Covid-19 cases all over the country. It is essential for each one of us to stick to the precautions until a vaccine becomes widely available.
Anagha Rajesh, Ajman, UAE
‘Economy, popular demand, religion dictating health policies’
Democracy relies on the perception of popular demand. The government rather than governing with the most scientific policies, rules with the more popular ones. In Marathi, there is a phrase that goes: ‘nine days of new’. Beyond nine days, new things are not entertained, however rational they might be. We are letting economics, popular demands, and religious beliefs dictate our healthcare policies on Covid 19. We need an evidence-based approach to forming and implementing health policies. The initial stern and strict approach with lockdown, however unpopular it might have been, perhaps was not misplaced.
Dr Swanit Deshpande. Twitter: @swanitdeshpande
‘Hope for vaccine is high but it isn’t time to let our guard down’
Recently, when I visited a post office, social distancing was gone, sanitiser was just kept at one corner toward which no one gave a look and masks were down for breathing fresh air. Cases are less, but various experts have said that testing has been reduced and the numbers are being undervalued. First wave may have subsided but the second wave is on in various states. Hope for a vaccine is high but it is not the time to let our guard down. ‘Corona se jung abhi jaari hai, mask pehnna sabki zimmedari hai’ (our fight against coronavirus is still on, it’s everyone’s duty to wear masks).
S.P. Srikar Bhattar, Bengaluru. Twitter: @SPSrikarBhatta3
‘Post Diwali situation shows people, govts let their guard down’
We can see that foreign countries are again going under lockdown. It’s clearly a sign of people not following the regulations and governments showing leniency. The people in India are now frustrated about things such as wearing masks in public and maintaining social distancing. But the post Diwali results are showing that there is increase in Covid-19 cases, which clearly shows that people, governments have let their guard down. We should not overlook the precautionary measures as it will be a chaotic matter to control the increasing number of Covid-19 cases and putting country under lockdown again.
Tanmay Ingale, Kalyan, Maharashtra. Twitter: @tanmayingale10
‘People struggling to comply since measures restrict basic impulse of intimacy, socialising ‘
An invisible enemy, Covid-19 pandemic has really taken us aback. In this new normal, with a lot of safety measures in place, we are struggling to comply with them as these are putting restrictions on our basic impulses of intimacy and socialising. Along with Covid-19, these measures have taken a huge toll on our economy, pushing millions to starvation. All forms of social evils are rearing their heads again. This has resulted in dilution of safety norms, as governments around the world are trying to strike a fine balance between suppressing the pandemic and the cost of suppressing it.
Sumit Bhatt, Dehradun. Twitter: @SumitBh13205857
‘Many now feel Covid-19 is not as dangerous’
Citizens were quite alert during the initial stages of lockdown. They had a fear of contracting coronavirus because that could take down their families. As the days passed, people were fed up with unplanned lockdown that continued for almost 10 weeks. Many felt the government didn’t help in them in getting food to eat. Though the unlock phases gradually began, people didn’t get back their lost work, income or at least recover to pre-Covid-19 stage despite incurring heavy losses. Further, citizens were severely traumatised during the lockdown period … India reported lesser number of Covid-19 cases during lockdown but the cases increased exponentially when unlocking began. The citizens have clearly acknowledged this point but the fear they had initially disappeared gradually because many felt that Covid-19 is not so dangerous.
K. K. Naik, Vijayawada. Twitter: @kethavathnaik49
‘Indians have no option of letting their guards down’
India has no cushion from coronavirus. India has self-inflicted massive damage to its economy. India has created a nation of unemployed. We Indians have no option to let our guard down. Food and shelter are paramount. We, as Indians, cannot wait for government to feed or provide shelter to us. We Indians will find an ingenious way to keep coronavirus at bay. We Indians will find enterprising ways to seek job opportunities. We will not necessarily go hungry … India with a huge population of Dalits and tribals will find a way … India will kick itself out of a deep pit.
— Rajesh Toppo
‘People and government let their guards down due to fatigue’
People need to be reminded that the Covid-19 pandemic, which completed a year just few days ago, is not over yet. People and the government having their guards down owing to fatigue over the pandemic phase is worrisome. We have had many festivals this month and in the festive mood, people forgot to maintain social distancing while doing festive shopping. People most often forget to put on their masks, and even if they are putting on their mask, they are not wearing it in a proper way. We should not forget that we are still in the pandemic phase.
Binni Kumari, Patna. Twitter: @BinniKumari9
Also read: Reader View: Media dealing with a divided country & selective outrage from those in power