Random Thoughts on Random Words - Day 17 Quarantine

As I contemplated on the alphabet "Q" which was required to be used for writing this post, a thought came abruptly to mind that I should write on 'quarantine'. It was on 31st December 2019 that the World Health organization (WHO) was informed of Corona (Covid19) virus being identified in Wuhan city China. More than a year has passed since then and we are still not anywhere near to seeing the back of the deadly virus. It has caused havoc all over the world.

 In our country, we observed the first lock down for 21 days believing that the lock down coupled with lighting of lamps and beating of drums/ vessels would scare the virus and it would flee for good. Contrary to expectations, not only is it still here, but a dangerous second wave is sweeping our country, affecting more and more people and taking precious lives of citizens. Further, there are reports of changes in the way the virus is getting  passed on in the second wave. As for example a report recently published in The Lancet has stated that SARS-CoV-2, (the virus that causes COVID-19), is an airborne pathogen. Earlier, it was believed that the virus was transmitted through droplets and not air.  

Quarantine is a restriction on the movement of people, animals and goods which is intended to prevent the spread of disease or virus. It is distinct from medical isolation, in which people who are confirmed to be infected with a communicable disease are isolated from the healthy population. Being in quarantine can itself be a challenge that has psychological implications. Many countries have been reporting an increase in “pandemic fatigue” – people are beginning to feel demotivated about following recommended behaviours for protecting themselves and others from the virus. 

The quarantine can have adverse psychological effects on the quarantined (even long term), which may include post traumatic stress, confusion, and anger. According to a "Rapid Review" published in The Lancet, "Stressors" related to Covid 19 pandemic are among others things, worry of a longer quarantine duration, fear of infection, frustration, boredom, inadequate supplies, inadequate information, financial loss, and stigma. It has been suggested by researchers that the quarantine be done by the authorities only for the period absolutely required and also provide adequate information to the quarantined about the rationale for the same, the protocols to be followed. They should ensure that sufficient supplies of essentials are provided to them and appeal to the altruism of the quarantined, reminding them of the benefits of quarantine for the society at large.

As our primary objective is to arrest the spread of the pandemic, in this post it is proposed  to discuss not only quarantine but also examine effectiveness of  implementation of the entire protocol amongst  the general population namely social distancing, wearing masks, frequent washing of  hands etc.To what extent has India been effective in spreading this message for curbing  Covid 19 and to what extent have we been successful in practicing the guidelines? The biggest problem that citizens are facing these days is the lack of transparency about the extent of damage, effectiveness of treatment, likely complications of vaccines and other details .Most of the representatives of the  so called 'fourth estate' have ceased doing their primary duties for a long time now. 

As on 18th April 2021, the country reported 2,61500 new cases of covid,  adding up to a total number of 1,47,88109 cases with the total number of deaths accounting for 1,77,150. On the same day, former army chief, Gen Ved Prakash Malik, tweeted that more people died of the virus in a single day in the country than the total number of casualties recorded during the Kargil War that lasted for over two months. He went on to say that fighting Corona is also a very important war but it is not being taken seriously by the authorities or the people. There is a casual approach in handling the battle against corona. This is clearly visible in the way big election rallies are held without following social distancing, religious functions involving lakhs of people like the Khumb Mela are being organized and the farmer's agitation is continuing despite a steep increase in covid 19 cases. He ended his tweet with a call "Wake up India!" 

On the one hand, politicians are giving statements advising the people to strictly follow the protocols, particularly social distancing and wearing masks. On the other hand they are the first to break them during their election rallies. One wonders whether elections needed to be held at all at this critical juncture. They could have been postponed or guidelines given by election commission permitting campaigning only through electronic media. The interesting fact is that many politicians are themselves getting affected by the virus and yet  that does not deter them to continue in the insane path of putting at  grave risk  themselves and  the citizens they are supposed to serve.  Rather than serving the people, their focus today seems to be only on winning elections. MLAs, MPS and ministers run from one state to another wherever an election is going on! Where is the time left for them to focus on serving the constituency that elected them? 

During this time of "war against Covid 19", the focus should have been on substantially increasing the production of vaccines to meet the needs of a country with a huge population, making available sufficient beds and treatment facilities in hospitals (as the number of patients are increasing exponentially) and addressing the issue of shortage of oxygen cylinders in many hospitals across the country. Special attention needs to be given to most affected states like Maharashtra and on the cities like the capital Delhi, Mumbai and other metros which face the maximum pressure for providing adequate treatment. It is sad, that at the time of a war, the politicians are responding in a casual manner and focusing more on elections, which appears to be their only priority! 

Normally, the political leaders would be expected to set an example and be role models.  Citizens can see a clear mismatch between a call given by politicians to maintain social distancing and then hailing those who have come to attend their election meeting in large numbers. The people are seated dangerously close to each other in these meetings. If only the politicians practice what they preach, others would fall in line. We can only hope that at least now, the political leadership in the country will wake up and pay heed to the call of the former army chief, Gen V.P.Malik " Wake up India!"