‘Blaming govt won’t help, we should be ready to help ourselves’

What precautions must be taken to prevent second outbreak of the virus?

A shout-out to citizens for wearing a mask

Everybody is familiar to the ongoing second wave of Covid-19 in Punjab. This should not be ignored. I love hanging out but since the lockdown I have been very careful about protecting myself from the virus. I only go out if I have an important work and always wear a mask and carry a bottle of sanitiser. But, whenever I step out and I notice many people are not masked. Seeing all this, I request all citizens to wear it and take all the precautions. Not only government but citizens must also be responsible for being aware. Concluding, the government should fine the persons violating the norms.

Izleen

No laxity, for state can face worst scenario

In the early stages of the pandemic Punjab did exceedingly well in containing the spreading virus. Resultantly, the cases came down considerably but in view of further relaxations in day to day movement and activities, a lurking fear of a second wave looms large over the state. Preventive voluntary measures such as the use of masks, distancing and hygiene are not being followed seriously by the people. Because of the casual attitude displayed, the scientific predictions by experts do indicate a second wave in six-eight weeks in Punjab which is a cause for grave concern. Infection and death rates are ascending. In this sort of scenario the onus lies on the residents and the government alike to act and react in a responsible manner to minimise the spread of the virus. Many nations are already up against this kind of wave of infections. Countries like Thailand, Japan and Czech Republic have fared well on account of the widespread use of face masks. Realising the significance of mask use, these should be distributed free of cost to those who are unable to buy them. The CM's assertion 'mask hi vaccine hai' should be publicised extravagantly. People with co-morbidities should be given quick access to treatment at government healthcare facilities. The government hospitals and health workers should create confidence among the people. An outreach approach should be adopted to identify and help the infected. People should be advised not to travel unnecessarily beyond a 5-km radius. Most businesses should be allowed to operate except night clubs as the lockdown cannot eliminate the virus. People in high risk areas should be pressed upon to stay at home; avoid using public transport to meet others outside their household. Large gatherings must be shunned. Night curfew to keep the people off the streets can be considered if the things go out of hand. Until a vaccine hits the markets, precautions should be taken religiously. Concerted and strenuous efforts ought to be made to prevent and mitigate the possible second wave of infections. Evidence-based investigative and therapeutic practices must be ensured if infected people are to be treated effectively. The government must take this into its stride. It is the moral duty of us all to not only look after our health, but also of others.

Tarsem S Bumrah

The onus is as much on people as on authorities

The authorities should create maximum public awareness on how to beat covid-19 while keeping a keen eye on the rule breakers. Residents should follow the guidelines issued by the departments so that they can keep themselves and the people around them safe. They should sensitise people about the virus and encourage them to forward the message to others. Everyone, whether an authority or an individual, should learn from the experiences of the first wave and try to keep the second wave at bay till a vaccine rolls out. As they say, 'Prevention is better than cure'.

Jatinderpal Singh

Maintain distance, avoid useless outings

The second wave is going to depend on citizens. Virus is going to infect only when one is coming in its contact, so precaution is going to play an important role.

Maintain distance, avoid going out unless it is unavoidable and do not forget to wear a mask. If you have any symptoms get tested, don't mistake it for flu. Avoid touching any surface when you are out, it may be contaminated. Administration should start random Covid testing of commuters. No one should be spared for not wearing a mask. Checking at restaurants, party halls should be done to ensure government guidelines are followed. Halt Permissions for any religious or political functions where count expectation is not clear. Testing of people coming from other states should be made compulsory. Awareness campaigns to motivate citizens to use digital platform to pay all their utility bills can help greatly.

Rupinder Singh Bhatia

Our responsibility should be bigger

True, the second wave of coronavirus cases has arrived. Little do we know how grave it can turn out as it has in Europe, the US and several other nations in the world. Considering how irresponsible we all have been in ensuring to follow even the basics to further prevent the spread, I first of all, feel rather than blaming the authorities, we should blame ourselves. Do we even wear masks? Do we avoid social functions? Do we avoid busy bazaars? However, with second the wave having arrived, it's time to wake up, to be vigilant to help ourselves. Just blaming the government won't help till we aren't ready to help ourselves. To sum up, our responsibility and support to the government will play a bigger role. It's all up to us. Regrets later on can be painful, rather very painful.

Rameshinder Singh Sandhu

Complacency will cost us all dear

The danger of second wave of is looming large in the state with the increase in sizeable number of infected cases. This is nothing new, the US and many countries in Europe are already victims of this second wave. Though the central and state governments know about this, as your main heading says 'to quell spike, teams rushed to HP and Punjab', but with passage of time people of the state have become complacent. Also the main reason for the same is lenient attitude of the Punjab Police; instead of fining the people for not wearing a mask, I saw the other day a team of policemen headed by a high police official distributing free mask to the people not wearing the same in Hall bazaar. People instead of appreciating this gesture are taking undue advantage by ignoring the preventive guidelines. We should not forget that harsh steps like the lockdown taken by the government. The second one may cripple the already declining economy of the state. In the past during the first wave, we blamed number of factors like a foreign country, a particular community, government's negligence, poor healthcare system and so on, but for second wave only people of the region would be responsible. The old saying 'prevention is better than cure' is changed in the present case to 'prevention is the only cure'.

Harsh N Johar

Caseload rising, why all can’t be masked?

The current scenario of Punjab seems to be in hazardous as the number of cases is witnessing a rise everyday. People are responsible for this because they do not follow the norms. The big question arises here 'Why people do not wear mask?' If someone asks them so, it leads to an altercation. People who do not wear it say they can’t breathe properly in a mask, while other says it makes them dizzy. But to combat this pandemic, we need to wear mask whenever we go outside. And those who can't breathe properly in a mask or feel groggy should stay at home. I would like to emphasise on the fact that we have the right to exercise our freedom, but one's freedom should not become a reason for someone else's suffering.

Saahil Hans

QUESTION

Farmers have reached Delhi to get themselves heard over farm laws. Do you think the Centre has been at fault in handling the situation and allowing it to go so far?

Suggestions in not more than 200 words can be sent to amritsardesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (December 3).