ALARM bells have been sounded for a possible third wave of infections with the ‘R’ value, or the reproductive rate of coronavirus, equalling or crossing the 1.0 mark in eight states. The last time it had gone over the dreaded mark was in March, before the second wave. Punjab and Himachal Pradesh now have an effective ‘R’ value of 1.3, Uttar Pradesh 1.1. Experts attach a lot of importance to the measurement since it indicates the average number of new infections generated by an infected individual during the entire infectious period. The steady increase in the ‘R’ value has led to calls for enforcement of strict micro-containment protocols to break the chain of transmission.

Himachal, to its credit, has been prompt in taking seriously last month’s advisory to state governments warning against blatant violations of Covid norms. Its bold decision to allow entry into the state only on production of a Covid-negative or fully-vaccinated report may not have gone down well with tourists, but is sensible considering that six districts have been showing a rise in cases for a fortnight. The hill state’s precautionary outlook, though, stands in sharp contrast to Punjab’s, where social distancing and mask protocols seem to have been given a defiant burial. Images of public figures going about their business without caring for the pandemic norms have only added to the misplaced bravado. With elections round the corner, such casualness and cavalier behaviour can have devastating consequences. That was the big lesson of the killer second wave, and it is being blatantly and wilfully ignored. The low number of cases cannot be made an excuse for such foolhardiness.

Vaccination has emerged as a vital protective shield, but that in itself falls short in the absence of following the mandated measures. As academic institutions open and economic and social activity gathers pace, a clear message has to be sent out to stick to the new basics, and the responsibility to set an example falls first and foremost on those in public life.